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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kyle Madson

NFC West draft picks: Cardinals bolster OL with OT Paris Johnson

The Arizona Cardinals were scheduled to pick No. 3 overall. They they moved back to No. 12, and then traded back up to No. 6 where they targeted Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson.

Protecting the quarterback has been an issue for Arizona, and while quarterback Kyler Murray is out with a torn ACL, Johnson will be around to help keep the Cardinals’ franchise QB upright when he returns.

Here’s the Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Johnson:

Johnson must replace bad habits with more trust in his technique, but he is an athletic move blocker with the size, fluidity and character of a future starting NFL left tackle. With his quickness, he is ideally suited for a zone-based scheme.

There were a number of ways the Cardinals could’ve gone with their selection since their roster is relatively bare at a slew of positions. New head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort decided improving in the offensive trenches was most important for them.

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