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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

2023 Cardinals rookie of the year: OL Paris Johnson

The Arizona Cardinals’ season ended with the regular season as they did not make the playoffs. While the NFL playoffs are happening, yearly player awards and honors are beginning to be given.

That means we should give out awards to the top Cardinals players in 2023.

Running back James Conner is the team’s MVP and linebacker Kyzir White was the team’s defensive player of the year.

The rookie of the year choice is pretty easy — it is tackle Paris Johnson.

Johnson was the Cardinals’ first-round pick and he was immediately thrust into the starting lineup.

He started every game at right tackle and played every single offensive snap.

He lined up against some of the best pass rushers in the league — Nick Bosa, Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Montez Sweat and Haason Reddick — and held his own.

He wasn’t perfect but he was really good. If he got his hands on a guy, it was over.

Fellow offensive lineman Will Hernandez gushed about him. Other teammates refer to him as “All-Pro P.” They see a star.

Johnson might end up playing left tackle next season with D.J. Humphries having torn his ACL.

Johnson came in with high expectations and met them all.

Other rookies had moments, but Johnson was solid all season.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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