Former Buckeyes OL Paris Johnson Jr. Signs Rookie Deal With Arizona Cardinals

Welcome to the NFL, Paris Johnson Jr.

Johnson, the next great Ohio State offensive lineman in the league, agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals also hold a fifth-year option to Johnson's contract, thus potentially keeping him with the franchise through 2028.

A stalwart in the trenches for two seasons, Johnson's versatility could have him lining up at various spots on the line come 2023. In 2021, he primarily served as the Buckeyes' starting left guard. A year later, he was kicked outside to tackle.

Johnson was essential in developing quarterback and two-time Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud. Stroud, who was selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 2 overall pick, was sacked just 25 times in two seasons, of which two came from Johnson's side.

The Cardinals — who initially traded out of the No. 3 pick with the Texans, then moved up to the No. 6 pick with the Detroit Lions — prioritized Johnson as their top target in this year's class. With Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray coming off ACL surgery, Arizona focused heavily on fixing its trenches to keep the pass upright.

Johnson said he met with Murray during his top-30 visit to Arizona in early April. The two discussed potentially pairing up for the future as the next great QB-OT duo in the NFC.

Two weeks after their first encounter, Murray got his wish.

“Somebody told me that. We have to get Kyler on the scouting staff,” Cardinals first-year general manager Monti Ossenfort joked with reporters following last month's first round. “Maybe we can start sending him out on the road to look at some guys? I don’t know if he knows Paris. I think they bumped into each other when Paris was here on the 30 visit.

“So, yeah, Kyler’s a fan. That’s good.”

Johnson told reporters in Arizona that he spent hours watching Murray's college film during his recruiting process and nearly chose to head to Oklahoma due to the explosive offense led by the eventual 2018 Heisman winner.

Since entering the league, Murray has been one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks thanks to his speed and quick-cut ability in space.

“I love the way he trusts his tackles to stay in the pocket when he needs to stay in the pocket,” Johnson said. “Yet, again, if something were to break down, he fights [to] the finish, and he believes that his tackles are going to keep playing to extend the play while he’s trying to move outside of the pocket to get the right throw."

Blocking for a mobile quarterback shouldn't be a concern for Johnson early in his career. As a freshman, Johnson rotated in on an offensive quarterback, Justin Fields. Fields, who led the Buckeyes to a national title bout in 2020 against Alabama, was selected No. 11 overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021.

Last season, Fields led all quarterbacks in rush attempts (160), yards (1,143), and yards per play (7.1) and finished second in rushing TDs (8) behind Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts. Stroud wasn't as mobile, but he did show off his attentiveness in space against Georiga in the Peach Bowl during the College Football Playoff last December.

“I would say his game reflects the qualities that Kyler has ...” Johnson said of Fields. “So, that transition from going from two elite quarterbacks with two different playing styles to having a slight blend of both with great speed and athleticism, that’s what you want as an offensive lineman. So, I’m hyped.”

Johnson is one of nine first-round picks and the second from Ohio State to agree to terms on his rookie contract. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was drafted by the Seahawks No. 20 overall, inked a four-year deal earlier last week. Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson (Raiders), Texas running back Bijan Robinson (Falcons) and Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (Eagles) — the three prospects selected right after Johnson at No. 7, No. 8, and No. 9, respectively — agreed to terms later in the week.

Stroud, the hopeful first franchise quarterback in Houston since Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson's breakout 2020 season, remains the last Buckeye first-round prospect to remain unsigned entering OTAs.

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