Tag: Paris Johnson

Shortly after returning recently from a trip to Europe, Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. participated in a water drive along with Tillman Scholars from the Pat Tillman Foundation and Coca Cola a few days before the Fourth of July holiday.

The second annual water drive helped the residents of UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix and distributed about 10,000 bottles of Dasani water donated by Coca Cola. There were also interactive games for children and families.

UMOM provides shelter, housing and services for the homeless in which nearly 700 individuals (155 families and 130 single women) benefit. The organization also has over 550 units of affordable housing in the Phoenix area.

While still in high school, Johnson formed the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation, which supports veterans and disadvantaged youth.

Asked about the water drive during a recent interview on NFL Network, Johnson said, “When I first got to Arizona, something that I wanted to do was give back to the community, being able to serve the families and the kids in the community. I wanted to help with something. It’s a small way, but it can go far not only with the water but being able to have some conversations and spend time with the families there. It’s always amazing.”

His foundation has a feed-the-needy drive in November, a holiday toy drive and in December he supported the Tillman Foundation during My Cleats, My Cause.

Noting how important it is to him, Johnson said, “I believe the platform that I have to play in the NFL; I feel ultimately it’s a gift that comes from God so I want to be able to use the platform that I create by being able to make plays on Sundays to use the time I have to give back to the community in the offseason.

“During the season, during those events, there’s a team of people in the foundation that are going to be able to help out those events as I’m keeping the main thing the main thing on the field because that’s what fuels the activity in the offseason and be able to give back that also helps the activities during the season. So I’m thankful to have a team of people that when I’m not available to be there physically myself, it keeps the events going and helps the community out.”

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals has a new role in 2024. After playing every snap at right tackle as a rookie last season, he now takes over left tackle following the release of D.J. Humphries.

According to Pro Football Focus, he is one of five young linemen poised to break out in 2024 in new roles.

Young tackles are also often better as pass blockers than they are as run blockers early in their NFL careers, as counterintuitive as that can be.

Johnson earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 64.2 as a rookie, almost 10 grading points better than his performance in the run game. He allowed 42 total pressures but produced six PFF game grades of at least 74.8 in pass protection and improved as the season progressed.

If he continues the typical offensive tackle development pathway, Johnson is primed for a big jump in performance in Year 2 and could become one of the better young tackles in the game for the Cardinals.

This is exactly what the Cardinals hope for the 2023 No. 6 overall pick. It is what they need from him — anchor the offensive line.

Johnson’s has been laser-focused in the offseason. He wants to be the best tackle in the league.

A breakout season from Johnson would be timed perfectly.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Count Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. as another member of the offense that can’t wait for the 2024 season to begin.

Visiting on the Insiders show this week on NFL Network, Johnson said even on a recent trip with his sister to Paris and Italy, he made sure to find weight rooms and fields to work out in the mornings.

He said, “That was the most important thing. Just got back Saturday and the first thing I did was go to the weight room again. Hit the steel and keep the main thing the main thing.”

Asked what he’s hoping to accomplish in Year 2, Johnson said, “It’s personally being able to fulfill 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.”

As for the team, Johnson naturally is ecstatic over the addition of his college teammate from Ohio State, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

“Playing with the guys we have on this team, to add Marv as a weapon, I think is just explosive,” Johnson said. “With the guys we have on our offense, I expect this offense to be one of the tops in the country.”

When asked what he saw from Harrison in offseason workouts and if it’s “as good as it gets,” he said, “It is, it is. Honestly, it’s been that way since college. That’s one of the things I always told everybody about him, even before we picked him, is that he’s been a professional since his freshman year. So having him here; he’s already in the flow and just talking to a lot of the defensive backs, they love going against him.

“Whether it’s a high day or it’s a lower day, a walkthrough day, just what he expects from himself is exceptional. So I’m super-excited to have him on the field. It makes it even more fun to hold your block because you already know what kind of guys you have out there on the edge.”

Recalling when Harrison arrived at Ohio State, Johnson said there was no entitlement or bragging about his Pro Football Hall of Fame father, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr.

“Day 1, I didn’t really know who he was,” Johnson said. “He didn’t talk about his dad at all and his background. I wasn’t personally familiar with how great his dad was. I learned all of that later. I just saw Marvin as himself, not necessarily what his dad was, but just him for who he was. But, again, he jumps off the screen.”

The offseason has been filled with numerous comments from teammates about Harrison and Johnson accentuated it. He talked about how the Ohio State offensive linemen would watch the skill players in practice and wonder who would be the best when their careers were finished.

Noting that he played with some of the best receivers to come through in the last several years, Johnson said, “It came as no surprise, it was going to be him. The plays he made and doesn’t really try to talk about it. He just smiles and lines back up.”

Finally, asked where the Kyler Murray barometer is as training camp approaches, Johnson said, “He’s in full swing. The type of leadership he’s brought this offseason has been incredible. I know he’s excited to have Marvin and he’s been spending a lot of time with the guys and he’s been spending a lot of time on the field. So I’m super-excited to have him full go.”

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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The Arizona Cardinals expect a step forward from many players entering the 2024 season. it is the only way they can take a step forward as a team.

Every year, unexpected players break out and have big, impactful seasons.

Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey assembled his all-breakout team for 2024 and it includes one player from the Arizona Cardinals.

That player is left tackle Paris Johnson.

Johnson started coming into his own at the tail end of the 2023 season. He had some inconsistencies in the first half of the year, but closed off the season with three really quality performances, earning a 76.3 pass block grade from PFF.

The Cardinals drafted him to be a big body that will keep Kyler Murray clean, and now he’ll have a full season with the dynamic dual-threat quarterback to show what he is capable of.

Johnson had not played right tackle before his rookie season and did well. He was tested by some of the most elite pass rushers in the league.

Now he slides over to the left side to be the guy on the offensive line. Considering Trent Williams is still playing for the San Francisco 49ers, it will be hard for Johnson to push into Pro Bowl status, but his play will make a difference for the Cardinals.

If anyone is going to break out for the Cardinals in 2024, Johnson is a good and important choice.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.