Paris Johnson Jr. 2023 NFL Draft profile: Scout report for the Ohio State OT
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State: 6’6”, 315-pounds.
As the top-rated offensive tackle in the 2020 class, Paris Johnson Jr. saw the field for just 22 snaps as a true freshman. He took over as the full-time starter at right guard in ’21 and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors (13 games).
Last year, he improved to consensus first-team and second-team All-American when he moved to left tackle. His steady presence on C.J. Stroud’s blindside enabled the Buckeyes to finish first (45.7) and second (44.2), respectively, in points per game in FBS the past two seasons.
Paris Johnson Jr. scout report: Strengths
+ The grip strength, demeanor, and leg-drive are all there in the run game, and he really works up through contact to create that momentum.
+ Out at tackle, Paris Johnson Jr. can really widen that edge and cover up guys responsible for contain, routinely allowing backs to stretch out and get out to the corner or cut underneath. At guard, you saw him come in from the side on nose-tackles to push them over into the opposite A-gap, so that guy can’t two-gap.
+ Shows the hip mobility to reach-block three-techniques, as well as coming off combos late and getting a piece of the linebacker, while having some extra room for error if his angles up to the second level aren’t perfect.
+ With the way he covers ground on zone concepts, Johnson can execute fold-blocks and make the job easier for the guard inside of him to just seal the down-lineman.
+ Swiftly establishes the inside foot and gets his base turned, in order to force edge defenders to have to go through him on the backside of gap schemes.
+ Gets after second-level defenders with tremendous urgency and you see him seal off true MIKEs straight over the center at times.
+ His dexterity to twist defenders and get his lower body turned simultaneously to open up lanes is highly impressive. You saw that when LBs try to blitz the play-side gap and he pins them away from it, to present a wide hole (B-gap at guard).
+ Displays good awareness for defenses walking down a linebacker late outside him and how that changes responsibilities on run schemes.
+ Clearly has that mobility to play in space, with impressive success getting his hands on corners and safeties in the screen game.
+ Johnson features a well-coordinated, patient kick-slide and uses his wingspan well to not present a free B-gap.
+ Arms for days at just over 36 inches. Edge rushers have to take wider angles consistently, while being able to stab with the inside arm at the near-shoulder to actively elongate those.
+ With those long branches and strong upper body to control rushers even if his elbows are outside his frame.
+ Smooth lateral mover, to stay in front of inside counters and help out on the interior in a hurry, if his man drops out.
+ It also enables him to slide in front of interior linemen in the play-action game and full-line slides before they can even get that first step down regularly.
+ When defenders sell out for the bull-rush and create movement, Johnson can increase his step frequency and knee bend to re-anchor effectively.
+ No problem at all flipping and riding aggressive upfield rushers towards his own end-zone.
+ Shows the ability to recover and still ride loopers off track, as he has to transition on delayed T-E twists.
+ Playing at guard, you saw Johnson actively looking for work if he doesn’t have a direct assignment, delivering some significant chips from the side. That transitioned along with moving out to tackle, where week one against Notre Dame, the next-closest rusher ended up being in the A-gap and he still made sure that guy hit the ground.
+ Did allow two sacks last year, but only one other QB hit across 910 pass-blocking snaps since the start of 2021 (26 non-sack pressures).
Paris Johnson Jr. scout report: Weaknesses
– Paris Johnson Jr.'s base can get a little narrow as he churns his legs in the run game and it may lead to him landing on the turf more regularly against pros.
– Tends to stop his feet when he throws his hands and heavily relies on the two-handed punch – he will need to adapt more independent hand usage.
– His hands overall are pretty high and wide, particularly picking up loopers and blitzers.
– There’s room to still get stronger when it comes to swallowing initial power and snatching guys late, not allowing them to escape as plays are being extended.
– Can overstride at times selling play-action, and allowing his D-end to slip inside of him.
Paris Johnson Jr. scout report: Grade
Based on his height and general skill-set, Paris Johnson Jr. was a miscast at right guard as a redshirt freshman in 2021, but did show he can excel in the run game right away.
Once he moved to his designated position at left tackle this past season, the pass-blocking skills were able to shine as well. He’s one of the smoothest athletes you will find for the position, yet has the strength in his hands to take control in both facets of the game.
Where I do believe he needs to improve is not using two-handed punches regularly and his base to anchor against power leaves things to be desired at this point. Considering what an easy mover he is and the length he possesses to counter-act that, those should be fixable areas though.
I do believe he’s best suited for a zone-based rushing attack. His mobility and leg-drive could really shine, rather than just blowing defenders off the ball vertically.
There’s upside to utilize Paris Johnson Jr. even more as a puller across the formation or out towards the perimeter.
Grade: Top-15.
You might like other 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports: Tyree Wilson (EDGE), Texas Tech; Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE), Alabama; Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR), Ohio; Zay Flowers (WR), Boston; Jordan Addison (WR), USC; Jalin Hyatt (WR), Tennessee; Jordan Addison (WR), USC; Quentin Johnston (WR), TCU; Zach Charbonnet (RB), UCLA; Bijan Robinson (RB), Texas.
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