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2023 Steelers Draft Prospects: Why Paris Johnson is the ideal offensive tackle for the Steelers

Dan WelshBy 1 Comment4 Mins Read
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Paris Johnson is the dream pick for the Steelers in the 1st round! Unfortunately, he will not fall to the Steelers’ 17th overall pick in the first round.

But that doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t do their homework on arguably the best offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Here are Paris Johnson’s official NFL Combine numbers:

  • Height – 6’6″
  • Weight – 313 lbs
  • Arm – 36 1/8″
  • Hand – 9 1/2″
  • Bench Press – 29 Reps

Based on his measurables, he has everything the Steelers want in an offensive lineman. You base it off the signings of Nate Herbig, Isaac Seumalo, and Le’Raven Clark, the Steelers (and Andy Weidl) have a type.

The Steelers attended the Ohio State Pro Day. They missed last year’s for QB reasons and weren’t missing the Buckeyes Pro Day for two straight years.

The talent coming out this year at positions of need for the Steelers forced the Steelers to bring a lot of eyeballs.

Talents like Paris Johnson, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Zach Harrison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and CJ Stroud will all go early; Stroud and Paris Johnson probably going to the top ten teams in the draft.

Per usual, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers like to take talent to dinner every year during the draft season. For the Buckeyes, it was all offensive linemen.

Let’s have a look at Paris Johnson’s Journey.

Paris Johnson was rated a 5-star recruit coming out of Princeton High School. He won the Anthony Munoz Award in 2019, given to the best lineman in high school football.

He committed to Ohio State, and in his first year in 2020, he only played four games before having a more significant role in 2021. Starting at right guard, Paris Johnson played in 13 games, only allowing 13 QB hurries and a single QB hit in his sophomore year.

He switched to left tackle in his junior year, where in 12 games, allowing only 9 QB hurries and two sacks in nearly 800 snaps.

PROS

  • Guard and Tackle versatility
  • A former 5-star recruit, Anthony Munoz Award winner, Princeton High School offensive MVP, and consensus All-American in 2022 – he continues to produce at a high level.
  • Athletically gifted to recover on bad angles.
  • People mover in the run game – shows nastiness against defenders.
  • Consistent improvement in hand placement and footwork
  • Pulling ability to get to the second level
  • Quick off the snap – athletic to set the edge against pass rushers
  • Leader on and off the field

CONS

  • Only one season as starting left tackle
  • Better run blocker than a pass blocker
  • It allows edge rushers to get inside his frame, knocking him unbalanced.
  • He needs to improve his body control in the run game.

Do the Steelers trade up for Paris Johnson?

Steelers have a focus on improving the offensive line. The possibility that the Steelers take an offensive tackle early is very likely.

The Steelers need a franchise left tackle, and Paris Johnson is one of the top 3 the Steelers could snag. A trade-up will be required, but securing someone like Paris Johnson is worth spending the extra picks on.

Paris Johnson has the athletics, power, and nastiness to be a 10- 15-year starter in the league.

There are concerns he only played left tackle for one season but quickly established himself as a natural and one of the best at his position. He is so good; he might be the first tackle off the board come April 27th.

Paris Johnson is a Steeler in a perfect world, and the entire offensive line is set for the Kenny Pickett era.

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