The next prospect that we’re going to cover in our scouting series is one of the most popular names that’s been attached to the Tennessee Titans all offseason long.
The connection between Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., and the Titans is pretty obvious to make.
For starters, Tennessee is coming off a horrendous season offensively, and a large reason for this is that the team couldn’t stay healthy, including Ryan Tannehill, who suffered an ankle injury largely due to the team’s inability to protect him.
The left tackle position in particular was the biggest weak spot on a disastrous offense. Truthfully, that’s probably underselling the type of ineptitude the team saw at the blindside in 2022.
Johnson is arguably the top tackle prospect in the class, and there is a lot to like about his game. This article is going to provide you with an educated opinion on Johnson’s overall potential as a pro prospect, while also discussing his potential fit with the Titans.
Before we get started, a quick reminder that all of the grades and individual rankings that are included are my own opinions after spending the last few months studying each of these individuals.
The Ohio State product is constantly being mocked to the Titans by fans and media members alike, so let’s find out exactly why so many are intrigued by the consensus All-American lineman
Measurables
- Height: 6’6’’
- Weight: 313 pounds
- Hand Size: 9 ½’’
- Arm length: 36 1/8’’
- 40-time: N/A
- Relative Athletic Score: N/A
College Accolades
- Consensus All-American (2022)
- First-Team All-Big 10 (2022)
- Second-Team All-Big 10 (2021)
2022 Stats
- Passing Block snaps: 449
- Run Block Snaps: 378
- Hurries allowed: 12
- Quarterback hits allowed: Zero
- Sacks Allowed: Two
Grades, Projections, and Rankings
- Overall Grade: 89.8 (1st round)
- Ceiling Projection: Top-10 pick
- Floor Projection: Late first round
- Position Rank: OT1
- Consensus Rank: OT1
🧵Here is how I ranked and graded the top OT prospects in the #2023NFLDraft
•Two obvious studs at the top, but don’t overlook the OT3-OT6 range either.
•OT7-OT10 has some real longterm potential as well. pic.twitter.com/yQvzaO1EXy
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 9, 2023
Reasons to Buy In
- Ridiculously long and athletic OL that has all the tools at his disposal to eventually become a true franchise pillar at the LT position.
- Rare hip fluidity and flexibility for someone his size allows him to recover when he’s quickly beaten.
- Excellent movement skills in every facet of his game.
- Has the length and athleticism to overcompensate for any technical shortcomings he’s currently experiencing.
- Does a good job of moving fluidly on combo blocks, reach blocks, second-level climbs, or when pulling across the formation.
- Mirrors defenders with ease along the edge and isn’t a liability on an island.
- Rides speed rushers up the field and makes them irrelevant to the play by forcing them around the arc.
Areas of Concern
- Will probably go through some growing pains early on while he refines his overall technique.
- Vulnerable to getting beat inside and with power.
- Susceptible to impatiently leaning at times, and savvier NFL defenders will take advantage of it.
- Plays with a mean streak that could unnecessarily lead to penalties if not honed in a bit.
- Only has one full-season of starting tackle experience.
- Doesn’t produce the type of violent pop you would expect despite his aggressive nature.
- Must be more consistent with his pad level, especially in short-yardage situations.
- Much better suited for a zone scheme than a gap scheme.
Fit with the Titans
Johnson has been a popular choice for the Tennessee Titans in a lot of mock drafts that you see online, and for good reason.
The connection between both parties is relatively obvious to make. The Titans are coming off a disastrous season on the blindside, and the Ohio State product is arguably the best offensive tackle in the entire draft.
Johnson isn’t as technically sound as someone like Peter Skoronski, but he possesses a rare blend of athleticism and length that often allows him to overcompensate for any technical shortcomings that he has at the moment.
The former Buckeye would thrive in an offense like Tennessee that would often allow him to use his physical traits and fluid movement skills to his advantage.
A lot of people believe the Titans are now out of the tackle market because they signed Andre Dillard this offseason, but that is probably more of a short-term fix than a long-term investment.
Johnson would give the Titans a true pillar at one of the most important positions in football that could legitimately anchor Tennessee’s offensive line for the next decade.
If Dillard really wants that left tackle spot as bad as he says he does, prove it by beating out whoever the team brings in.
If that somehow becomes the case, Johnson also has experience at guard, a position that he played at a high level throughout the 2021 season.
However, that would be a waste of his rare length and athleticism, so if the Titans do end up selecting Johnson in round 1, chances are that Dillard will have to kick inside barring something dramatic happening.
Truthfully, Johnson is probably my main preference as of right now, but there are a few different ways I could see this going by the time Draft night gets here.
The former Buckeye is my highest-graded and top-ranked offensive tackle in the class.
Check out more of Shaun Calderon's scouting reports!
