Summary

Drafted: Round 1, 6th overall (2023) by the Arizona Cardinals. College: Ohio State. Johnson was a multi-year starter at Ohio State who moved between guard and tackle in college and came into the NFL as the top offensive lineman off the board in 2023. He’s listed at ~6'6", ~313–325 lbs and brings rare arm length and athleticism for the left-tackle/edge-protecting profile. Since entering the league he’s started every available game early in his career and has been praised for run-blocking effectiveness and pass-pro potential while still working on some technique polish.

Strengths

• Elite size & length — outstanding arm length and wingspan that helps him mirror speed rushers and sustain blocks at the point of attack. NFL Draft Buzz

• Excellent lateral agility / athleticism for an OT — moves well in space and shows the foot speed to handle quick edge rushers in early-down and zone concepts. NFL Draft Buzz

• Powerful run blocking and finishing — consistently moves defenders on combo and reach blocks; has the strength to finish blocks and create push in the run game. CBS Sports

• Versatility / football IQ — experience lining up at multiple interior and tackle spots (started at RT and at LT in college) and shows strong processing and understanding of stunt/delayed blitz recognition. NFL Draft Buzz

• Quick starter to the pro level — started as a rookie and took on a full-time starting workload for the Cardinals early in his NFL career. Arizona Cardinals

Weaknesses

• Technique polish in pass protection — can get upright at times and needs to tighten hand placement, punch timing and slide-step consistency against top edge rushers. CBS Sports

• Occasional balance/anchor issues vs power rushes — while athletic, there are reps where he works too high and loses leverage on bull rushes. NFL Draft Buzz

• Young player development curve — still refining consistent pro-level footwork and hand usage; needs coaching to become a truly elite NFL left tackle long-term. CBS Sports

• Mental reps / penalty awareness — like many young linemen, can be prone to occasional mental mistakes or pre-snap penalties as he solidifies NFL game speed processing. Arizona Cardinals

Fit & Outlook

Paris Johnson Jr. is a natural fit as a starting NFL tackle in offenses that value athletic edge protection and zone concepts that require tackles to move laterally and climb to the second level. His length and mobility make him a strong candidate at left tackle long-term if he refines hand placement and reduces playing tall in pass sets. Short term, he projects as an immediate starter who upgrades an offensive line’s athletic profile both in pass protection (once technique is tightened) and in the run game. With steady coaching and experience, Johnson’s physical traits give him a path to become a reliable franchise left tackle. NFL Draft Buzz