Welcome to the inaugural edition of the 2023 NFL Draft Focus. In this series, we will look at the incoming prospects hoping their names will be heard on draft night. Be sure to check often as we will produce content until the event’s start.
BACKGROUND
Paris Johnson is an offensive tackle prospect from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a top-20 prospect for the class of 2020 and was ranked the third-best offensive tackle in his class. His performance as a senior earned him the Anthony Munoz Award. He would commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
COLLEGE CAREER
He played in limited games as a freshman. However, he was slotted to play as an offensive guard in the 2021 National Championship Game where Ohio State lost to Alabama. The coaches decided to move him to offensive guard in his second year. Even in his new position, he was still selected to the Second-team All-Big Ten.
2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER
Paris was moved back to his original position, offensive tackle for his junior season. Even with the position change, Johnson was still one of the best in his position for 2022. In 12 games, he only allowed two sacks and nine QB hurries while playing 757 snaps. He was named a consensus All-American and First-team All-Big Ten.
STRENGTHS: Fierce Competitor
One of the best traits of Paris Johnson is that he is a born leader. Coaches and teammates love his IQ for the game but also his passion. He doesn’t take plays off. He has a mean streak about him and he finishes plays strong. He will have a long and successful NFL career if his passion and determination are present.
WEAKNESSES: Limited Experience
The switch to offensive guard definitely affected his growth so there’s only one year of experience for him playing as an offensive tackle. Even with the lack of experience, teams will still love what he showed at Ohio State. They are gonna used the early days of his career to teach him and get him stronger.
PLAYER COMPARISON: Charles Cross
TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM
Paris Johnson is rated highly and it shows in mock drafts. Mock drafts have him going in the top half in the 1st round. The Titans and the Patriots are two teams that would be perfect for Paris. Tennessee seems to be in a rebuild so Paris would be perfect for the new era of the Titans. Mac Jones needs a better offensive line and drafting the Buckeye would give him better protection especially with them losing weapons such as Jakobi Meyers and Jonnu Smith. A sleeper team could be the Bears as he would protect his former QB in college, Justin Fields.
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