Player: Paris Johnson Jr.
School: Ohio State
Measurables:
- Height: 6’6”(NFL Combine)
- Weight: 313(NFL Combine)
- 40: DNP
- 10 Yard Split: DNP
- Bench: 29(NFL Combine)
- Vertical Jump: DNP
- Broad Jump: 9’2”
- 3 Cone: DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle: DNP
- Other Notes: If Johnson were to just bench and do positional drills, it would make sense, but he also decided to broad jump, but not vert or anything else. Like what is the logic there? Either do the testing or wait until your pro day? If you think you need more time to prepare for the athletic tests then give yourself until your pro day. By doing two tests, it kind of makes it feel like you are trying to hide something. In the positional drills I thought Johnson looked okay, but I thought several linemen out performed him. They used his rep in the wave drill for the next gen player tracking, and I didn’t even think his rep was good in that specific drill. Just on who I have scouted right now, Johnson probably fell to OT3. Not that Johnson did anything to hurt his stock, but I thought other guys performed well enough to up their own stock.
Graded Position Specific Traits:
- First-Level Run Blocking: 8.25/10
- Second-Level Run Blocking: 8/10
- Pass Blocking: 8.5/10
- Blitz/Stunt Pickup: 7.5/10
- Pulling(if applicable): 9/10
- Footwork: 8.5/10
- Hands: 6.75/10
- Initial Contact: 7.25/10
Prospect Grade: 63.75/80; 79.7%- Perennial pro bowler with All-Pro potential
Projected Draft Day: Early Round 1
Player Comparison: Tyron Smith
Player Summary:
Paris Johnson is a player that I knew was a tackle coming out of high school. When I put on his 2021 tape, I was surprised that I found him playing at guard. Right off the bat that showed that he’s got versatility across the offensive line, which for a player of his caliber is a big deal in my opinion.
While watching his 2021 tape, I was extremely impressed with what I saw, given it was his first year playing guard. For context, I would’ve projected Johnson as a late 1st, early 2nd round pick as a guard, and could’ve seen an argument for a mid 1st round pick based on his upside. He looked like a powerful lineman, who could also move. He was a great puller and got up to the second level with ease. He did struggle with securing his second level blocks at times, but his ability to get to the second level was great. Johnson was also really good at seeing stunts. My biggest concern with Johnson was his hand placement on contact. There were many times where I was like how is he not getting flagged for holding? Obviously this is something that can be worked on, but it was concerning.
When I watched Johnson’s 2022 tape at left tackle for the Buckeyes, I was really impressed. He looked like he had really good footwork and moved really well. Most of what I saw from him at guard stayed true when I watched his tackle tape: really good puller, gets to the second level with ease, strong initial contact, etc. In terms of stunt pickup, it looked like he wasn’t seeing blitzes as well, but he also wasn’t missing them. He did pick it up, he just didn’t see it right away. I primarily recognized this when it came to like nickel blitzes and stuff like that. At guard there is less field to have to read compared to tackle, but I think he’ll improve the speed at which he sees it as time goes on. Final note, the hand placement/holding is still a pretty major concern in my opinion. There are times where he literally just bear hugs the defender and doesn’t get called and it shocks me. He can be a penalty waiting to happen. It happens in the run game more so than the pass.