2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Paris Johnson





  • Paris Johnson, 6-6/315

  • Offensive Tackle

  • Ohio State


  • Paris Johnson Jr. Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Very athletic
  • Good skill set
  • Ideal height, length, weight
  • Smooth athlete
  • Quickness
  • Quick feet
  • Gets depth in his drop to neutralize speed rushers
  • Can play the typewriter to cut off the corner
  • Bends at the knee
  • Doesn’t have to reach for rushers
  • Fast to the second level
  • Walls off and ties up defenders in the ground game
  • Athletic upside
  • Looks to hit guys
  • Willing to get after players
  • Has some tenacity
  • Turns and manipulates defenders in run blocking
  • Sustains blocks




  • Weaknesses:
  • A little raw
  • Not a bull dozer in the ground game
  • Could stand to add strength in his base


  • Summary: Johnson was a top recruit and quickly proved that he was a talented blocker with next-level talent. In 2021, Johnson started at right guard for the Buckeyes and played well. For 2022, Johnson moved to left tackle as the replacement for Nick Petit-Frere. Johnson put together an excellent junior year as the blind-side protector for C.J. Stroud.

    In pass protection, Johnson is consistent at keeping rushers off his quarterback. What sets Johnson apart is he is good athlete for his size. Johnson moves well and is natural on the edge. With good size and agility, Johnson is able to cut off the edge and shows the ability to get depth in his drop. He can have plays where he will bend but not break and remain effective to be assignment sound. Johnson has good length that makes it hard for defenders to get around him, and he does a nice job of using that length to tie them up. For the NFL, Johnson could stand to get stronger in his base and add more power to knock defenders backward.



    In the ground game, Johnson is a solid blocker, but he is not a true bull. He does not blast defenders off the ball and drive them around the field. With his length and size, Johnson latches onto defenders, turns them, twists them, and manipulates them away from the ball-carrier. If Johnson can get stronger for the next level, he could become him more well-rounded.

    Multiple team sources expect Johnson to go in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.



    Player Comparison: Russell Okung.Johnson reminds me of Okung. They are both athletic, big and agile. Okung was a first-round pick, and Johnson could be a first-rounder as well.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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