Cardinals' Paris Johnson Jr.: 'My goal ultimately is to be the best tackle in the game'

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. had an up-and-down rookie campaign but ended the season on an upswing. In Year 2, the former first-round pick wants to start the climb up the OT rankings.

“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. My goal ultimately is to be the best tackle in the game,” Johnson said Monday on NFL Network’s The Insiders.

Last season, playing as a right tackle, Johnson conceded 42 pressures and eight sacks. However, he improved significantly towards the end, not allowing a single sack in his last three games and only one total hurry in the final two games.

The Cardinals plan to move Johnson to left tackle following the signing of Jonah Williams to play the right side. It’s a return to the left side, where Johnson played at Ohio State before Arizona made him the No. 6 overall selection in 2023. Turning 23 on Wednesday, Johnson owns the physical ability to work his way into the top tier of tackles. It’s a matter of synching the talent, mental and production heading into Year 2.

Johnson represents one of the young pieces in the desert that could make the Cardinals offense sneaky fun in 2024. The big name in that equation is, of course, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

“Clearly, the players we have on this team, along with Marv as a key asset, create an explosive combination,” Johnson shared his outlook for the offense. “I’m really fond of our offense team members, and I anticipate our offense to rank among the country’s best.”

Johnson, a former teammate of Harrison Jr. at OSU, asserted that the wide receiver’s professionalism has been apparent from the very beginning.

Johnson said, “He’s been a professional since his freshman year of college. That’s something I’ve always told everyone about him, even before we drafted him. Now that he’s here, he’s settled into a routine and flow. Many defensive backs have told me they love competing against him, regardless of whether it’s an intense day or a walkthrough day, due to the exceptional pace he sets for himself. I’m thrilled to have him on the field. It makes holding your block more enjoyable because you know the caliber of players you have on the edge.”

Kyler Murray being another year removed from injury and having a true No. 1 target in Harrison Jr. gives the Cards building blocks. The key to Drew Petzing’s offense truly taking off in Year 2 could be the play of Johnson and the rest of the offensive line taking strides forward.