Paris Johnson Jr. - NFL Mock Draft Roundup

Only the Dolphins had a worse pass block win rate than the Steelers last season (48.8%), and I don't think Pittsburgh did enough to fix the line. When it decides to turn the offense's keys over to new quarterback Kenny Pickett, the protection has to be there. Johnson has 13 career starts (all at right guard) and allowed only one sack last season. He will slide outside to left tackle this year.

Spoiler alert! The Buckeyes are very talented. Johnson will be Ohio State's left tackle this season after thriving at guard as a true sophomore. He was the nation's top-ranked offensive tackle prospect in the 2020 recruiting class.

Even though Johnson has played guard to this point in his college career, he was the No. 1 offensive tackle in his recruitment class and probably has the talent to kick outside in the NFL.

Even at guard, Johnson is arguably the top offensive lineman in the class, and the Steelers need to fortify their line.

The Browns traded away their 2023 first-round draft pick to get Deshaun Watson. When they do wind up on the clock, look for them to add wide receiving talent to give Watson a little extra support whenever his upcoming NFL suspension, following 22 women filing lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct, is finished.

Houston is still in "best player available" mode, but Johnson would give the team a reliable tackle to pair with Laremy Tunsil and allow it to kick Tytus Howard back inside to guard. That'll help Davis Mills, or CJ Stroud, or whomever is handling QB duties in 2023 a little extra time in the pocket to work some magic.

Next year's offensive tackle class doesn't look particularly strong right now, and the "OT1" spot is wide open. The Buckeyes' starting right guard in 2021, Johnson is expected to move out to tackle as a junior in 2022, and scouts will be watching him closely.

The Charges inexplicably passed on Trevor Penning, so they'll have to take care of right tackle at some point. Paris Johnson has the athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL.

Depending on how the 2022 season plays out, the Commanders could end up needing an long-term upgrade at left tackle. Johnson has the size, athleticism, and technique to be a franchise player at a premium position.

Tagged as a future star for a few years now, Johnson will finally get the opportunity to play tackle, which is what he'll do in the NFL.

Johnson will be Ohio State's left tackle this season after starting at right guard in 2020. That's the position where the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder is a more natural fit. He earned a 79.1 overall grade as a redshirt freshman in his first year as a starter in 2021.

Again, the Eagles absolutely crushed the '22 draft, and if Jalen Hurts can prove he's the long-term answer at QB, the team can continue to build around him. Johnson can play inside or out, though his NFL future will likely be at guard.

Paris Johnson Jr. joined the Ohio State Buckeyes as a 5-star recruit and the nation's top-ranked offensive tackle prospect in the 2020 class. He's played guard early in his career, though. He'll make the transition back to left tackle this fall.

"We recruited him as a tackle," Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told reporters. "We also felt like he was a tackle, but to his credit, he wanted to get on the field last year. And [he] really learned a lot playing last year at guard. Just pad level, understanding calls, it's really going to pay dividends for him down the road."

A year at left tackle should provide Johnson with an opportunity to establish himself as a first-round talent.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, they don't have a long-term contract with current left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and Lucas Niang remains a question mark on the other side.

D.J. Humphries has started to struggle in pass protection on the left side and is unsigned beyond this season. Johnson will showcase his athleticism well going back to playing the outside to protect Stroud.

Johnson has been playing guard for the Buckeyes, but this coming season he should be back at his natural left tackle spot, and if he performs as expected he could very well be the first offensive lineman off the board in the 2023 draft. The Giants need help big-time on the O-line, which they didn't address in this year's draft.

The Jaguars are committed to Cam Robinson at left tackle but right tackle remains a concern unless Jawaan Taylor finds consistency. If not, Paris Johnson has the makings of the top blocker in next year's class.

At 6'6″ and just over 300lbs, Johnson bulked up and played primarily guard this past season for Ohio State. Even as a fish out of water, he was able to secure Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. Moving forward, he'll be the team's top tackle and has the physical prowess, pedigree and polish to be a Top 10 lineman in the NFL Draft.

The Steelers invested in their quarterback of the future with Kenny Pickett. Now they have to invest in protecting him. Paris Johnson is massive at 6'5" 315 pounds and is extremely fluid. Johnson played guard during the 2021 season, but he will kick out to left tackle in 2023.

The Cincinnati Bengals dramatically improved their offensive line through free agency this past offseason. With maybe one small chink in the armor, the Bengals go to the Ohio well to grab Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State.

The selection of Johnson gives them a massive man on the interior who may also play a bit outside following the departure of Nicholas Petit-Frere. Johnson's versatility and proven skill set on the interior is why he's the selection here, filling multiple roles for Cincinnati.

The Steelers have a makeshift OL and will need to build it up to protect new Franchise QB Kenny Pickett.

Tackle may be weak in 2023 but for now Paris Johnson is the projected OT1. Johnson hasn't burst onto the scene yet because he has been playing guard with veterans in front of him at tackle. When he gets his chance he could explode in 2023.

Paris Johnson Jr. has played out of position but showed steady improvement at left guard as last season progressed. But this year, he gets back to his more natural position of left tackle in 2022. Johnson has the size, length, and feet to excel and be the top offensive lineman taken in the 2023 draft. The Bears better make sure they invest in Justin Fields' success.

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