Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr Ready To 'Back The Grade Up' At NFL Scouting Combine
Who is OT1 in this year's NFL draft? It depends on who you ask.
If one were to ask former Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., he'd be able to answer that question with ease.
"I think I've proven that in my film already," Johnson said Saturday at the Indianapolis Convention Center when asked if he was the top pass-protector. "With this time [at the combine], it's me being able to show them in the interviews and on the board the way of my technique, what went right, what went wrong."
Little went wrong for Johnson during his three seasons at Ohio State. A five-star talent out of Cincinnati, that was the plan from the get-go.
To play any position at a glorified institution, confidence must be essential. Much like the other Buckeyes to come through the NFL Scouting Combine. When committing to Ohio State, Johnson said he envisioned spending three years on campus before going pro.
Challenge accepted, challenge complete.
“I knew that Ohio State could give me everything I wanted to be three-and-out if I did everything right,” Johnson said. “It wasn't going to come easy. It wasn't something that if I just sat back and waited, it would have happened.
“This is something I've always planned to (do), but I had to do everything right.”
Johnson will now have the opportunity to solidify his status as the top tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft Sunday during drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. A consensus first-round pick, the question now turns to how high Johnson could go.
Countless mock drafts have pegged him to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7 due to their need to upgrade at right tackle, while the Tennessee Titans at No. 11 seems to be the floor. Tennessee, which has dominated the AFC South in recent memory, released three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan last month after nine seasons and could be looking for youth on the blindside.
Regardless of his ceiling and floor, Johnson must prove his worth on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium come Sunday. It's something he isn't worried that much over after putting on a clinic during his three seasons with the Buckeyes.
"I would say my athleticism is unmatched in the country," said Johnson.
Maybe Georiga's Broderick Jones or Northwestern's Peter Skornoski would care to argue that comment, but few offensive linemen will have Johnson's traits entering their rookie season. Even fewer will be able to say they thrived based on their versatility.
Johnson spent his sophomore season at right guard before moving outside to left tackle. In 2021, the 6-6, 310-pound lineman allowed 14 pressures and one sack. A year later at left tackle, he allowed just two sacks and 12 pressures.
Ok, so there's room for improvement. Johnson knows this, too. While other sports couldn't help develop his nimbleness, one aspect of life played a vital role.
"I’ve never played basketball because I can’t dribble, but my feet cover anybody. That’s just how I feel. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in church with a lot of dancing, but I have good feet. And I feel like the violence I play with too. In space, that’s crucial."
Johnson isn't feeling too much pressure during the interview process when discussing his lome season at left tackle. Most scouts have mentioned his consistent tape rather than reps. From that standpoint, Johnson might have the edge over both Jones and Skornoski.
Even still, a more-than-productive day on the turf could answer plenty of questions about Johnson's status among this year's offensive tackles. His main priority? Prove what works on film will carry over to live reps.
Said Johnson: "I'm going to be doing the fieldwork tomorrow, along with the o-line drills and bench press. I'll be able to show off my strength and how I can move my feet...being able to reaffirm, for them to touch and feel in person, is different. It's another layer."
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