Raiders Pick Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson in Second Round

The Pittsburgh Steelers will not land Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. Powers-Johnson had been heavily linked to the Steelers in the pre-draft process. It’s no secret that the Steelers need a center, so it makes sense. But instead, he will head to the Las Vegas Raiders, who might play him at guard after re-signing Andre James at center.

Powers-Johnson has shot up boards after a fantastic Senior Bowl, but the media might be jumping a bit on his stock if some of the reports are any indications.

Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer traveled to Eugene for Oregon pro day to watch Powers-Johnson, according to Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy. Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan were not in attendance,  but the interest was clear after they brought him in for a top-30 visit.

It’s rare for a center to go in the first round, but Powers-Johnson had played himself into legitimate first-round hype. His movement skills for someone of his size, over 330 pounds, are so rare. And yet, he has only started for one legitimate season. For someone that inexperienced at center to play the way he did speaks to coaching and the rare player, he is coming out of college.

On his lone day at the Senior Bowl, Powers-Johnson showcased elite core strength and even reset his hands twice after getting beat initially underneath his pads. But he is a former wrestler and understands how to maximize leverage and win at the point of attack. It should be no surprise that he has already made a name for himself.