Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and right tackle Jonah Williams (knee) have both already been ruled out for Saturday's Week 17 divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams. Johnson will miss his second straight game, while Williams will sit out on Saturday night after injuring his knee in the overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. With the Cardinals being eliminated from playoff contention with their loss on Sunday, they don't have any incentive to put any injured players out on the field for the final two weeks of the regular season. Arizona missing both their left and right tackles against the Rams this weekend is bad news for their offense, and they could also be without lead running back James Conner (knee) as well. It should at least give fantasy managers pause when deciding to start quarterback Kyler Murray.
Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) has been ruled out for the team's Week 16 contest this Sunday at the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. With Johnson sidelined, offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum will slide into the starting left tackle spot and protect quarterback Kyler Murray's blind side this weekend. Johnson, the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Ohio State, started all 17 games in his rookie campaign last year and had started all 14 games this year before injuring his knee in the Week 15 win over the New England Patriots. Fantasy managers should still be starting Murray in the fantasy playoffs in a plus matchup, but Johnson being out is definitely a downgrade for the Cardinals' offense overall in Week 16.
Paris Johnson Jr. Has Big Goals Heading Into Year 2
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Ohio State, meaning he has plenty of pressure on him to become a high-end blind-side protector for quarterback Kyler Murray. Johnson was credited with giving up eight sacks last year while playing right tackle, according to PFF, but he's ready to make the Year 2 leap at his more natural position on the left side. "Yeah, I think personally, just Year 2, being able to fulfill all of the expectations that I have for myself, expectations that the team has for me being here," Johnson said. "My goal ultimately is to be the best tackle in the game." Johnson developing into at least an above-average left tackle in 2024 would be a significant boost for a potential ascending offense. Kyler Murray is back and healthy, and the team added Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey Benson to bolster its skill position group this offseason. Arizona could be an underrated offense for fantasy football.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. will start at left tackle in 2024 after spending his rookie season on the right side, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Johnson was selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2023 NFL Draft and started all 17 games in his debut campaign. Veteran D.J. Humphries occupied the left tackle spot in the desert for nine seasons, but he was released this offseason. Newly acquired veteran Jonah Williams will begin the season at right tackle. Protecting quarterback Kyler Murray and carving running lanes for James Conner and Trey Benson will be key priorities in 2024 for a potential ascending offense. Johnson Jr. will play a key part in that effort, and hopefully, he'll take a Year 2 leap after allowing eight sacks in 2023.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., the sixth overall pick in this year's NFL draft, saw a significant number of repetitions this offseason at both left and right tackle with incumbent left tackle D.J. Humphries (back) rehabbing and right tackle Kelvin Beachum missing voluntary practices. Johnson has impressed coaches and teammates with his skills, size and intelligence. "I like him a lot, man. He's a student. He got a lot of student to him," Humphries said. The 21-year-old is a bit on the light side for an offensive tackle, but he makes up for it with his height (6-foot-6) and long wingspan. Johnson should eventually become a solid left tackle for the Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals signed first-round offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. to his four-year rookie deal on Thursday. The contract includes a fifth-year option. In addition to Johnson, Arizona agreed to rookie deals with wide receiver Michael Wilson (third round), offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (fourth round), quarterback Clayton Tune (fifth round) and linebacker Owen Pappoe (fifth round). Johnson was the sixth overall pick in this year's draft and was a first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 after making 13 starts at left tackle. The 21-year-old should be a solid starting left tackle for the Cardinals in time, thanks to his freakish athleticism and great range.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. was regarded by many as the best offensive lineman in this year's NFL draft, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he's expected to start in Week 1 of the 2023 season, if he's healthy. Johnson played both guard and tackle at Ohio State, and that flexibility will serve him well at the next level. The Cardinals need to re-establish an offensive line that really never gelled in 2022 because of injuries. No matter where he's playing in his rookie season, Johnson will play a significant role in his first NFL campaign.
After acquiring the No. 6 overall selection from Detroit, the Cardinals selected Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. in the 2023 NFL Draft. There were plenty of directions Arizona could have gone. However, the Cardinals will bolster its protection unit in order to keep Kyler Murray (knee) on the field, at least once he's healthy enough to return. Johnson was an All-American during his time as a Buckeye and is widely considered one of the best lineman in the country. But he has plenty of room for growth, especially as a run blocker.
Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.'s stock is on the rise ahead of the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday night. "He's the only Day 1 left tackle and maybe the only true left tackle of the first-round guys," according to an NFC area scout. Johnson started at right guard before moving to left tackle in 2022, and he allowed just two sacks all year. He's seen by teams as the most pro-ready tackle, and he also has considerable upside given his inexperience at the position. Northwestern's Peter Skoronski is believed to be an offensive guard at the next level. Johnson is considered the cleanest tackle and could be off the board early in the first round. If the Arizona Cardinals are able to trade out of the No. 3 spot and move down, they could target Johnson.
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