NFL Mock Draft: Falcons Take 'High-Character' Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons might have a need on the offensive line going into the NFL Draft. Is that where the first pick will go?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 29, 2023

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Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons offensive line has been one of the strongest units in the NFL this season.

However, there's doubt that the unit will stick together for next season as right tackle Kaleb McGary faces free agency.

The Falcons should be interested in bringing back their 2019 first-round pick, but he will have several suitors in free agency looking to poach him from Atlanta.

Should McGary walk in free agency, there will be a need at tackle that could be addressed early in the draft.

In Sports Illustrated's latest mock draft, it plays out the scenario where the Falcons need a tackle and the team takes Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State.

"A high-character individual, the Cincinnati native is referred to by coaches as the “father” of the offensive line room because his teammates gravitate toward him," SI writes. "

Standing 6-6, Johnson Jr. has size to play both inside and out. He played guard for the Buckeyes this season, but if McGary left in free agency, there's a good chance the team would have him plug and play at right tackle.

"An elite high school tackle recruit whose college experience entering the 2022 season has primarily come at guard, Paris Johnson Jr. has all the athletic tools to excel in his first season at tackle for the Buckeyes," SI writes. "Though he must work through certain technical issues, his rapid rate of refinement and improvement through the 2021 year indicates he has a high ceiling at tackle."

There are other needs on the defensive line and secondary, but if Johnson Jr. is on the board when the Falcons are on the clock, he could easily be the player that leads off Atlanta's draft class.

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Published Jan 29, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.