For offensive lineman Paris Johnson, the Arizona Cardinals’ training camp has begun, which means it’s time to showcase his skills. The lineman’s name was inscribed by Jeff Diamond of the 33rd Team on a list of NFL second-year players who would be held accountable for their play in coming season.
Johnson was chosen by the team with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6 Ohio State prospect played right tackle in each of the team’s 17 regular-season games, starting them all. With 1,130 snaps, he finished ninth among tackles.
Johnson gave up eight sacks and 42 QB pressures. The rookie was dogged by penalties at the time, finishing tied for third in 2023 with 12 NFL tackles.
The former general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, Diamond, did not downplay the penalty concerns, but he did state that Johnson will need to step up the most due of the move to left tackle in 2024. Every quarterback knows this to be their blind side, but Johnson will have extra scrutiny because he will be Kyler Murray’s main backup in the backfield in case he makes a comeback.
The position change was originally disclosed by Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon in late May. The team released nine-year veteran D.J. Humphries in March to free up $15.9 million in salary space, and Johnson will take his place. Humphries was a Cardinal for nine years.
Johnson has not yet taken a high level of professional reps at left tackle, so the adjustment will be hit or miss, he told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke.
