TEMPE — The expectations were high for Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. coming out of college as the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
They’ve only grown since he took over the starting left tackle spot once held by mentor D.J. Humphries.
And while it’s only been a four-game sample size, he’s living up to those and then some.
Johnson has quickly made a name for himself as a top tackle in the league. Per Pro Football Focus, Johnson ranks ninth among NFL tackles in 2024.
But it’s Johnson’s evolving leadership and accountability that has the franchise and his teammates excited for what’s next.
“He’s a younger guy, but he’s growing into his own,” quarterback Kyler Murray said Wednesday. “Becoming a leader each and every day. He’s very versatile in the sense that he’s able to be a funny guy off the field, but when we’re in war, it’s time to go.
“He’s locked in and you almost can’t even talk to him because he is really emotional and super locked in. I’m excited to see him to continue to grow as a leader, but he’s a guy that we can count on, for sure.”
Johnson, right tackle Kelvin Beachum (if he plays) and the rest of Arizona’s offensive line are going to need to be as locked in as they can be going up against a 49ers defense that features a couple of game wreckers in linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa.
When it comes to Warner, the linebacker is tracking as a potential Defensive Player of the Year and is coming off one heck of a pick-6 in last week’s win over the New England Patriots.
Bosa on the other hand has 19 pressures through four games, resulting in three sacks. That’s good enough for 11th among NFL defenders, per NFL Next Gen Stats. For reference, the Cardinals as a team have 22 pressures.
The defensive end is lining up on both sides of the line, too, meaning both Johnson and Beachum are going to have their hands full in keeping him in front of them.
Johnson, however, welcomes the challenge.
“This is one of those games I’ve been kinda waiting on,” Johnson said. “He’s a good opponent, but I’ve been preparing the exact same way. I’m excited to get out there.”
Come on, Marv!
Johnson and former Ohio State teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. are back to their celebratory ways following a score from the latter.
So far, that’s happened four times this season.
This last one, however, Johnson had to pull most of the weight.
“This past touchdown he scored, I went to lift him and he didn’t jump. I had to do a strict press in the air,” Johnson said of his fellow Buckeye. “He’s been assisting me, but that was straight me just power lifting him in the air.
“It was alright, we still got a picture, but that was a lot more effort than I’m used to. If he’s not jumping, I’m just gonna pat him on the head, ‘let’s go’ and keep it moving, because that was a lot of energy.”
It’s a team effort, Marv. Come on now.
