Jets Country 2022 Draft Review: Micheal Clemons Contributes throughout Rookie Campaign
Micheal Clemons, Texas A&M
Defensive End
Pick No. 117 (Round 4)
2022 Games Played: 16 (0 starts)
Jets Country Re-Grade: B
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets' last of seven selections from the 2022 NFL Draft was certainly not least.
Gang Green drafted Texas A&M product Micheal Clemons in Round 4 and he immediately established himself as a contributor as a rookie rotational defensive end.
"I go first round or fourth round, I believe in my ability as a football player," said Clemons last May.
The 6-foot-5 Clemons contested 16 of 17 regular season games and recorded 36 combined stops in 2022.
"With Big Mike, we feel like he's one of the nastier players in this entire draft. The physicality, the edge that he plays with, the toughness that he brings, I don't think you can have enough of that," said Jets' general manager Joe Douglas following the 2022 NFL Draft.
Clemons, who went to the Jets at No. 117 overall in the draft order, recorded at least one stop in all 16 appearances as a first-year pro. The long, athletic defensive end missed one game, appearing on the inactive list for a Week 13 loss at Buffalo due to illness.
"I think he's a phenomenal player. Both him and Jermaine Johnson, as young guys, coming in, taking ahold to different veterans on the team, learning from what they do," said All-Pro Quinnen Williams following a Week 6 win over the Green Bay Packers. "I feel like both young guys are way above where I was my rookie year. The pass rush moves they can throw, the run stop, the strength, the speed, the juice that they bring."
Clemons held up well in run defense, getting noteworthy penetration in short-yardage situations. When it came to pressuring the passer, he logged 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hits.
The physically-imposing Clemons made one of his most-memorable rookie contributions on special teams, blocking a punt that was returned for a touchdown in the 27-10 road win over Green Bay.
"Everybody loves him in the building," said head coach Robert Saleh a few days after the Jets' 2022 preseason opener. "His work ethic, his mindset, his physicality, his effort, all of it is exactly what we expected."
READ MORE:
No Quinnen Williams for Voluntary Workouts, No Problem
Kiper-McShay Three-Round Combo Mock Fills Three Positional Needs
DRAFT SERIES: Potential Offensive Line Pickups for Joe Douglas' Crew
DRAFT SERIES: Good Reason to Include Defensive Tackle in 2023 Plans
