GLENDALE -- Arizona Cardinals rookie offensive tackle Paris Johnson just completed his first day of padded practice in training camp, a practice that demanded high tempo and energy from the moment Jonathan Gannon blew the first whistle.
"It was [what I expected], just running off the ball, having fun, but ultimately competing with these guys for weeks, but now to finally put the pads on and just let it loose was a good time," Johnson said in the locker room after practice.
Johnson has impressed nearly everyone here in the desert thus far. After moving back into the top ten of the 2023 NFL Draft to take Johnson (they previously moved down from No. 3 to 12), many thought Johnson would play his first year inside at left guard while veterans D.J. Humphries and Kelvin Beachum anchored the outside spots.
Yet that hasn't been the case - Johnson has taken starting reps at right tackle and has effectively pushed Beachum to second team duties.
Humphries says both Johnson and fellow rookie OL Jon Gaines have impressed thus far.
"Really good, really good. I will say they're probably the best group of rookies that I've seen come in ready to play - as a group of two rookies. Both of them [are] keen on the playbook, very keen on the field and not really hesitant or thinking too much on when they're on the grass so it's been dope to watch," said Humphries.
Johnson was told about the praise from his elder:
"That's awesome. Especially two guys like that, guys like me and Jon [Gaines] and the rest of the rookies look up to, those are the ultimate OG's of the locker room. I think to be able to gain their respect, especially on the field when the pads are on, I feel like that's what really counts," Johnson said.
"I want to be somebody that they can continue to rely on."
People such as Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy have praised Johnson in previous interviews of camp, a great sign that Arizona's investment in the Ohio State product is paying off.
"The mindset is just be like Beach [Kelvin Beachum] ultimately," joked Johnson, with Beachum outside of the media scrum with a smile. The interview was conducted at Beachum's locker and Humphries joked a fine was coming for "impersonation".
"But honestly, the mindset, I want to hold the standard of the room. The standard that guys like Hump [D.J. Humphries], guys like Beach have set here for years [and] Will [Hernandez] so I feel like I want to be able to play at the same standard they've had for years before me. I don't want it to drop now that I'm here."
So far, so good for the Cardinals' top pick.
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