The Arizona Cardinals walked into the 2023 NFL Draft desperately needing to upgrade a handful of position groups.
With Kelvin Beachum and Will Hernandez brought back in free agency, many thought the Cardinals would opt to address the defensive side of the ball early and often in the draft.
Yet Arizona settled on the talents of Paris Johnson Jr. with the No. 6 overall pick, trading up to snatch him after moving back from Pick 3 to 12. On the final day of the draft, they also added versatile lineman Jon Gaines II.
The Cardinals took just two offensive linemen in the draft, though both of their profiles project to help transform the team down the road.
PFF says the Cardinals improved their offensive line better than most in the league during the draft:
Cardinals OL Ranked Among Most Improved After NFL Draft
"Paris Johnson Jr. was the player Arizona wanted with its top pick, but the team was able to engineer a trade back from No. 3 overall, pick up a first-round selection next year and still jump back up to No. 6 to take him, the player they would have happily drafted with their original pick all along," said Sam Monson.
"Johnson is the best pure tackle prospect in this draft but also has the ability to play guard initially as the Cardinals try and juggle an offensive line that has strength at left tackle several times over and weaknesses almost everywhere else.
"Later in the draft, the team added UCLA product Jon Gaines II, a guard who has been solid as both a run-blocker and pass-blocker over the last several seasons. He allowed 18 total pressures on more than 500 pass-blocking snaps in 2022."
Other teams included were the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans.
Johnson figures to have his best opportunity to start at left guard this upcoming season, though many believe he's better suited to play tackle. Gaines likely has his best shot at playing time at center, though he's played guard and tackle as well.
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