After parting ways with Mason Cole, the Pittsburgh Steelers need a new center. Some speculated the Steelers might turn their heads to free agency, but when those options didn’t pan out, it became obvious where to look next.
The Steelers, who pick at No. 20 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, appear to be interested in Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. Team reporter Dale Lolley confirmed Pittsburgh hosted the First-Team All-American for a pre-draft visit on Wednesday.
Powers-Johnson became the first Duck and first Pac-12 player ever to win the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center. He also became the fifth unanimous All-American in program history, earning first-team honors from the AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, Sporting News and Walter Camp.
He led all FBS centers in overall (84.3) and run-blocking (85.2) grades by Pro Football Focus while ranking second in pass-blocking (90.6). Powers-Johnson is rated as the best center in the draft, according to PFF.
Powers-Johnson allowed just one pressure and zero sacks in 471 pass-blocking opportunities, while anchoring an Oregon offensive line that led the nation with just five sacks allowed for the second year in a row.
The All-PAC-12 center helped guide an Oregon attack that led the nation in passing offense (346.9 YPG), while ranking second in scoring offense (44.2 PPG), second in total offense (531.4 YPG) and 30th in rushing offense (184.5 YPG). Personally, he led the Ducks with 37 total knockdowns on the season, recording multiple in 12 of the 13 games he played in.
The 6-foot-3, 328-pound center also earned a pass-blocking grade of 80.0 or better in eight of 13 games played. He did not allow a pressure in any of his last 10 games played.
“Powers-Johnson possesses starting-caliber power and finesse traits at center or guard for both zone or man/gap-blocking concepts,” PFF wrote. “He is dominant enough at his position to be considered a top-20 talent.”
PFF ranks Powers-Johnson at No. 19 on their big board.
After the scouting combine, NFL.com rated Powers-Johnson the second best center in the draft with a grade of 85. “Broadly built center prospect with below-average length but above-average upper-body power,” NFL.com wrote. “Powers-Johnson isn’t much of a knee-bender, which impacts his pad level and drive leverage, but he can torque and toss opponents around with some regularity at the point. Powers-Johnson is a fierce competitor with a salty disposition but needs to improve his first-phase technique to create more consistent block sustains.”
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