*OL grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.

Pretty much throughout the pre-Draft process, Paris Johnson has been the #1 or #2 ranked O-Line prospect in the draft…mostly, the #1 ranked prospect over Northwestern's Peter Skoronski…but sometimes behind Skoronski for some sites and rating services. I'll study Skoronski next, but our initial post-Combine computer scouting model grades showed Paris #2 (behind Dawand Jones) and Skoronski #3.

Focusing in on scouting Paris Johnson -- it's pretty cut and dried…he is THAT good of an O-Line prospect. There are other really good OL prospects as well, but I can confirm that Paris deserves to be in the discussion for the top OL prospect in the draft. People can nitpick some game tape moments or whatever, but when you look at his overall profile and background -- he's a legit top NFL O-Line draft prospect.

I mean, look at the profile headlines…

 -- Five-Star recruit out of high school, the top OT prospect of the 2020 high school class.

 -- 6'6.3"/313 with 36 1/8" arms and an 85 1/8" wingspan.

 -- All-Academic Big Ten, a scholar athlete going into and through his Ohio State career.

 -- 1st-team All-American 2022…one of the highest graded OLs in CFB in 2022. For some, he was the highest graded.

 -- Is involved in several charitable activities/events, some of which he started up himself. He's a really good dude.

Watching his tape, I see no reason why he can't be discussed as the very top OL prospect. Very quick feet. Long wingspan/reach to keep pass rushers pushed away. Much better run blocking than I first realized watching preview tape months ago. He's got good size, nice movement skills with great length, reach, and has the smarts/drive. He's a layup top 10-15 pick in the NFL Draft…he should be a top 3-5 pick…whether he will or not is another question, because the NFL is so stupid on not taking OLs highly instead chasing pass rusher fantasies. But if an OL goes top five, it will be Paris…not Skoronski or Broderick Jones or Dawand Jones.

I think Dawand Jones is better than Paris, but Paris has a much better profile and is going to interview better. Paris will go ahead of Dawand, but EVERY time I watch OSU OL tape…Dawand ALWAYS looks better to me…for what that is worth.

Paris Johnson, Through the Lens of Our OT Scouting Algorithm:

 -- Five-Star recruit out of high school, the top OT prospect of the 2020 high school class.

 -- All-Academic Big Ten, a two-time scholar athlete in his Ohio State career.

 -- 1st-team All-American 2022 offensive tackle…one of the highest graded OLs in CFB in 2022. For some, he was the highest graded.

 -- 2021 season 2nd-team Big Ten as a right guard.

NFL Combine Measurables:

6'6.3"/313

9.5" hands, 36 1/8" arms

2nd longest wingspan of any OL, right behind teammate Dawand Jones.

Skipped all the other measured items at the Combine and Pro Day, which lets you know he's smart -- not wasting energy on it. I don't think he's hiding anything; I think he just didn't need to do it so he didn't. It will be the wave of the future.

The Historical OT Prospects to Whom Paris Johnson Most Compares Within Our System:

The list speaks for itself. 

*A score of 8.00+ is where we see a stronger correlation of OTs going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system and indicates a greater probability of becoming an NFL elite OT.

All of the OT ratings are based on a 0–10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances.

Overall OT score = A combination of several measures, which includes – performance based on strength of opponents faced, physical measurement metrics, injury probabilities...all rated historically against the future great OTs in our database.

"Power-Strength" = A combination of unique metrics surrounding physical size profiling, bench press strength, etc.  High scorers here project to be more physical, better straight-ahead power blockers.

"Agility-Finesse" = A combination of unique metrics surrounding speed, agility, physical size, mixed with some on-field performance metrics. High scorers here project to fit a blocking scheme where lateral movement/pulling and heavy pass-blocking skills are required.

"Performance Blocking Profile" = A combination of all the physical measurable profiles, arm length, and hand size, on-field performance grades, etc. An attempt to profile the OTs skill level beyond only the physical.

2023 NFL Draft Outlook:

Tracking as a later top 10 pick in consensus ranks, but I have a funny feeling he goes top 5.

If I were an NFL GM, Paris is in my top 10 overall for the draft…Stroud-Richardson-Levis has to be top 3 (whatever order you like) then the protectors of QBs are next…so, Dawand, Paris and maybe 1-2 other OLs…then the CBs, Gonzalez and 1-2-3 others. That's my general concept of top 10 hopefuls for us when we do the Big Board. So, Paris off the top of my head will likely be in our Big Board top 10…maybe top 5-7 in the end.

NFL Outlook:   

Will be drafted to play right away and will -- and will be good…possibly great.