ESPN draft expert reveals NFL comparison for Paris Johnson Jr.

Paris Johnson Jr. will be a instant starter for whichever team drafts him in the top 15. Coming out of Ohio State, Johnson has proved his versatility with experience playing as a guard and a tackle.

ESPN draft expert Matt Miller compared the Buckeyes standout to Miami Dolphins OT Terron Armstead, and is expected to be one of the first offensive lineman taken off the board in April

“Johnson was arguably Ohio State’s best lineman during the 2021 season while playing out of position at right guard. He moved to his natural position of left tackle for 2022 and allowed just two sacks,” Miller wrote. “The 6-6, 310-pound junior has solid quickness and balance while also playing with poise and power. He’s still ironing out his technique, but Johnson’s ceiling is potentially the best of any 2023 offensive lineman.”

Mel Kiper predicts Johnson to be drafted No. 11 to the Tennessee Titans in his latest mock draft. Current Titans LT Taylor Lewan has only managed to appear in 20 games over the past three season, and could see himself waived by the team for cap space before the offseason is over.

In fact, the Tennessee Titans selected former Buckeyes lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere to become their starting right tackle in last year’s draft, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they could go back to the Buckeyes for a new left tackle this year, too.

At Ohio State, Johnson didn’t allow a single ack protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud‘s blind side in 2022. He didn’t give up a sack the previous season, either. In other words, Johnson went more than 1,400 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, without giving up a sack.

Whichever team drafts Johnson will be getting a ready-to-play stud. He’ll have to wait to find out his fate, though, as the 2023 NFL Draft gets underway from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri.