Signs Growing Paris Johnson Is Likely The Bears' Guy

Teams often find clarity on how a board will likely fall as the NFL draft draws closer. When thinking about the Chicago Bears at the 9th pick, there are three avenues experts seem convinced of. GM Ryan Poles will either take a pass rusher, an offensive tackle, or wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As of now, the consensus from most experts is it will be an offensive tackle. That isn't a surprise. Chicago has a glaring hole at the right tackle position. They need to reinforce the protection of Justin Fields. While some believe Northwestern's Peter Skoronski is the safest bet, recent indications say the name to watch is Paris Johnson.

He was the left tackle for Ohio State in 2022, helping quarterback C.J. Stroud have a stellar year. Johnson had an outstanding performance against eventual national champion Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Teams love his giant 6'7 frame and 36-inch arms. He couples that with solid athleticism, which he showcased at the scouting combine last month. It was there, according to Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com, where the Bears may have first tipped their hand.

The Bears were Johnson’s second team meeting at the NFL combine last week, and they asked him to throw darts, as they had a lot of prospects play some little games to relax. Putting a golf ball was the other choice.

That could be a simple coincidence of scheduling.

On the other hand, it strongly indicates how much Poles and the team brass wanted to meet with him. Lesmerises has it on good authority that Johnson likely made a good impression. He has the sort of character the Bears look for, and it doesn't hurt he is an outspoken advocate of Fields.

Hard to imagine the Bears not getting a good vibe from Johnson, who was a student journalist at Ohio State, who started a charity to help veterans, who always seems comfortable with who he is. He was on the OSU roster with Fields in 2020 as a freshman even though he didn’t start. Fields was the focus of a lot of combine questions, and Johnson went into a staunch defense of him, ending with, “He has all the intangibles that you want.”

Where it gets more fun is the Ohio State pro day. Johnson went through several drills with teammate Luke Wypler. Eagle-eyed people may notice that familiar large frame of Poles hovering in the background, front and center.

Paris Johnson fits everything the Bears talk about.

They want big players with great length. They must be good athletes with strong character and a willingness to work hard. Johnson checks all those boxes. He would be on the poster if you're looking for a prototype for this regime. Maybe Poles decides to go in a different direction. There are rumors the Bears GM might look to move down again, hoping to stockpile more picks. If he does that, the chances of landing Johnson diminish. Much of this hinges on whether the team decides to stay put at #9.

It would mark the first time since 2011 that the Bears have drafted an offensive tackle in the 1st round. It would be the first time since 1983 they took one in the top 10. That ended up becoming Hall of Famer Jimbo Covert. This might be the perfect time for Poles to break that streak. Paris Johnson has all the qualities of an NFL tackle. He can start on either end for a decade. While he may not carry the same flash of Smith-Njigba or a pass rusher, he would make this team far more imposing.