New York Jets select Micheal Clemons in the fourth round, 117th overall

The vast potential of Texas A&M defensive end Micheal Clemons is more alluring than his injury history is concerning.

That was made obvious on Saturday when the New York Jets selected Clemons in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Clemons is the fifth A&M defensive lineman to be selected in the third round or later in the last four drafts.

Last year, Bobby Brown was a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams. Justin Madubuike was a third-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. In 2019, Kingsley Keke was the fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, and Daylon Mack was taken in the fifth round by the Ravens.

Clemons likely would have been taken higher if not for his history of injuries.

A foot injury caused him to miss the 2018 season. He missed two games in 2019 because of injury but was still credited with four quarterback hurries and half a sack.

In 2020, Clemons was leading A&M with four sacks through five games but missed the final five games because of injury.

Last season, the 6-foot-5, 270-pounder posted seven sacks, including 3.5 against LSU. He also had 32 tackles, 13 quarterback hurries, deflected two passes, forced a fumble and returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown in a victory over Auburn.