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Kyler Murray Tells Cardinals to Draft Paris Johnson

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray hasn't been shy on who he wants the team to take in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Arizona Cardinals have heard plenty opinions on what they should do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

The Cardinals currently own the rights to the No. 3 overall pick, a slot where many expect the team to trade out and gain additional draft capital for the future. 

Whether they stick at No. 3 or drop down elsewhere, Arizona is sure to add a young prospect to fill a hole in their roster. After finishing 4-13 and still losing key players across the board, it feels like the Cardinals can't go wrong with their first-round choice. 

Everybody has their top option for who the Cardinals should snag - and that includes quarterback Kyler Murray. Key figures such as Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon have made it known that Murray's input in key decisions will arrive with value, and with his monster contract extension officially kicking in next season, that's probably wise. 

According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, Murray likes Ohio State Buckeyes OT Paris Johnson "a lot" and has even told the organization that. He also mentions the Cardinals hosting Johnson on a visit during the process in his tweet:

The Cardinals currently have three of their five starters figured out for at least next season, as D.J. Humphries, Will Hernandez and Kelvin Beachum are all under contract. 

Should Johnson be the pick, he likely wouldn't start immediately unless the Cardinals moved him to left guard. 

That's something our own Richie Bradshaw mentioned in his five first-round offensive targets for Arizona this season:

"The final offensive tackle talked about as OT1, Johnson actually has experience throughout the offensive line including at both tackle spots and inside at guard. Versatility is king for offensive linemen translating to the pros and his success wherever he was lined up will have many valuing him high.

"I shouldn't have to paint a vivid picture to explain why the Cardinals should look hard in Johnson's direction. The ability to play him virtually anywhere on the line and be a day-one starter is worth its weight in gold, and then some."

The Cardinals would be smart to invest in their offensive line of the future - perhaps that begins with Johnson in the first. 

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