Paris Johnson Jr. - NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

The Las Vegas Raiders' offensive line needs more building blocks to go with Kolton Miller. Paris Johnson Jr. has the size, balance, and mobility to be an impact starter across from Miller and he has experience playing on the right side of the ball.

Tennessee may need to replace both starting offensive tackles so Paris Johnson is a good start. He played one season at left tackle after beginning his Ohio State career on the interior.

Mekhi Becton has been a huge disappointment, so the Jets may use this pick to find a new offensive tackle.

Paris Johnson has good athleticism for an offensive lineman, and he can play both tackle and guard.

The Titans have to get more talented on the offensive front. A wide receivers is a desperate must, but a strong lineman would be an instant fix. There's wide receiver value later.

Could the Jets be major players on the veteran QB market? I think they will. So for the draft, they build the offensive line with Johnson, a super-steady tackle prospect.

The selection of a head coach will play a big role in what direction the Colts go with their top draft pick, but in the event they opt for QB help by way of free agency or trade, Johnson could end up as a Day 1 starter plugging the gaping hole up front they've had for several years.

Assuming the Raiders move off Derek Carr, head coach Josh McDaniels will need a new QB. But with how things shook out last season, his clock is already ticking in Las Vegas, and he's unlikely to tie to his last-ditch effort to a rookie. Nevertheless, whoever is under center will need protection, and Paris Johnson Jr. can provide just that from multiple positions.

Paris Johnson Jr. started at guard and tackle during his time at Ohio State and hasn't come close to playing his best football yet. An outstanding prospect in so many areas, Johnson's length and general body control/play strength make him a mistake-eraser. He's never out of a play, even if he screws it up, because he's athletic enough to get back in. Johnson could be a star in time, and he'd fit right in with Arthur Smith's hard-charging offense.

In this scenario, the Texans draft Bryce Young at the top of the board.

Now they add someone to protect him.

Johnson slid to left tackle for the 2022 season after spending the 2021 campaign as the Buckeyes' starting right guard. He settled into the role with ease, perhaps not a surprise given that he was a five-star recruit as a tackle. Johnson has the athleticism and footwork to handle life on the left side in the NFL and can mix up his pass sets to keep opposing pass rushers off-balance.

Paris Johnson, who played left tackle for the Buckeyes this season, also has experience on the interior; either way, he is a Day 1 starter whom Tennessee could use.

With the Raiders and QB Derek Carr parting ways, the smart money indicates the Raiders will welcome their next QB to town with someone to protect him.

The Falcons land the extremely athletic Johnson to give them a tackle for years to come. Johnson has all of the tools to be a top-level NFL starter, he just needs to get a bit stronger in the upper body.

A very confident Ron Rivera did not inspire confidence in his end-of-year presser. The Commanders' head coach repeated over and over again that their formula for winning is to be a run-heavy team. You know, like most offenses in the NFL! I know, I know...Jalen Hurts has his team rocketing skyward just one game from the Super Bowl...but this team doesn't have Jalen Hurts.

A run-heavy scheme hasn't won the Super Bowl in some time, and while these teams have had success in the regular-season, it isn't often a recipe for success in the postseason, even with a special player at quarterback (which, if you haven't noticed, Washington doesn't have).

If Ron truly wants to stick with Howell and go run-heavy, the offensive line needs at least two upgrades. Sam Cosmi can slide in to guard, and if Chase Roullier comes back healthy, he has the center position locked down. Both tackle spots and LG are still in question and need to be upgraded quickly. A corner opposite Benjamin St. Juste is also needed.

At 16, however, a perfect prospect for a run-heavy scheme, Anthony Richardson, might fall into their lap, and that would be my choice moving forward. If Howell hits, let him play and develop the raw but toolsy former Gator. Having two franchise quarterbacks would be a problem this organization would welcome after over 30 years of a revolving door at quarterback.

In any case, this team will only elevate from hovering around .500 with an improved offensive output. It would be a shame to watch another great defensive team fall short of the playoffs because of another putrid offense in 2023.

The Tennessee offense was a mess this season, which resulted in the firing of coordinator Todd Downing. General manager Jon Robinson also was let go, and you have to think Robinson's inability to get the offensive line up to par contributed to it. Longtime left tackle Taylor Lewan has played just 20 games over the past three seasons and could be an offseason cap casualty. There might be an opening on the left side. Johnson played guard for the Buckeyes in 2021 but moved to left tackle in 2022, and he was tremendous. He will be a plug-and-play starter in the top 15 picks.

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