The 2023 NFL offseason is here and that means it’s time for mock drafts, draft profiles and everything that goes with them. So without further ado, here’s one of many Draft Profiles for the 2023 NFL draft.
Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio St
HT: 6’6
WT: 310 lbs
Accolades:
– Rotary Lombardi Award semifinalist
– Anchor of OL line that is sixth nationally in fewest TFLs allowed (37; only 7 sacks allowed)
– His Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation was named Armed Forces Merit Award winner.
– Has started 23 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2021 season
– Received both the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year and All-American Bowl’s Man of the Year awards
– 2021: Second-team all-Big Ten (coaches); OSU Scholar-Athlete; Academic All-Big Ten
Video:
Pros:
– Super smart academically – who is a natural leader both on the field and in the locker room
– Finishes and doesn’t quit; competitor with a positive attitude and leadership traits that coaches admire.
– Fires off the snap quickly, and Johnson shows the flexibility to get out and seal on reach blocks. He’s at his best, however, in the phone booth.
– Johnson flashes power and nastiness in the run game, able to win at the point of attack and athletic enough to get out as a pulling blocker before landing blocks on the move at the second level.
– Plays with appropriate wide base and intelligence, instincts, and agility to seal the edge. Aggressive extending with power to punch and looks comfortable in space.
– Has a strong, flexible core, and the ability to absorb and anchor against the bull rush as a pass protector.
– Improved footwork and hand placement significantly during college career showing ability to be coached
– Has an impressive understanding of stunts and delayed blitzs
– Five-star recruit with elite athleticism and movement skills – has the foot speed to stay with the best edge rushers
– Power to move opponents in the run game
– Reliable and consistent grip and core strength
– Outstanding lateral agility and athleticism to mirror defenders
Cons:
– Sometimes looks a bit underpowered in the run game when it comes to generating movement at the point of attack, and we’ve seen him struggle to recalibrate at the second level against moving bodies.
– Height can be a detriment in short-yardage, the defender can get under his pads to hold the line.
– All too often Johnson simply gets too impatient to sit back in his set, reaching and lunging and generally playing with poor balance.
– Lets pass rushers get into his body, catching them rather than using his considerable length to deliver a punch. Johnson is going to have some difficulty if he’s asked to block on an island early on.
– Lacks experience as a tackle having played just a single year there
– Lunges into blocks and often looks unbalanced – needs to improve his weight distribution
– Ducks his head, effectively going in blind
– Needs to improve the angles, too often allows rushers to beat him inside
– Currently he’s a much better run blocker than pass protector – needs development
Summary:
As a sophomore in 2021 he won the starting job and played in 13 games, conceding 13 QB hurries, a QB hit, and didn’t give up a sack while playing right guard.
In 2022 as a junior Johnson Jr. switched to left tackle where he saw action in 12 games and totaled 757 snaps. He gave up 9 QB hurries, no QB hits, and two sacks while playing at left tackle.
Information in this article first appeared on NFL Draft Buzz and is used with permission. Find the latest coverage, analysis, and player rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft at nfldraftbuzz.com
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