Name: Jackson Powers-Johnson

School: Oregon

Year: Junior

Position: Center

Measurables: 6’3 3/8”, 328 lbs.

Combine: ARM: 32 1/8" / HAND: 9 5/8" / VERTICAL: 32" / BROAD: 8'8" / BENCH: 30 REPS

General Info:

The hulking refrigerator of a man Jackson Powers-Johnson (JPJ) has had quite the journey to becoming a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Johnson was highly recruited coming out of Corner Canyon High School in Utah. The team won three straight state championships, in large part to Powers-Johnson playing the interior of both offensive and defensive lines. Nationally ranked as a top five center, JPJ committed to the University of Oregon where he would continue the opportunity to play both sides of the ball.

JPJ played in a variety of alignments during his true freshman season at Oregon. He logged snaps at center, both guard spots, and started at defensive tackle in the Alamo Bowl. He finished the season with two tackles and 126 snaps along the offensive line. Oregon finished the season a disappointing 10-4, but the offense still ranked near the top of the league nationally.

As a sophomore, JPJ doubled his snap count but still rotated along the offensive line as a part-time player. He made one start at right guard while rotating in at center, left guard, and right tackle throughout the season. Oregon went 10-3, finishing the season with a Holiday Bowl victory over North Carolina. Their offense finished top 10 in the nation as well.

JPJ was finally able to take the reins in 2023, becoming a full-time starter at center. With more playing time, JPJ cemented himself as the top center prospect in the upcoming draft. Oregon finished as the second offense in the NCAA, averaging 185 rushing yards/game behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines. Quarter Bo Nix also was sacked an astoundingly low FIVE times on the season. Powers-Johnson was the stalwart of the line and equally effective in both the pass and run game. He finished his career at Oregon with an 84.3 PFF grade.

The new Senior Bowl rules allowing juniors to attend could not have benefited Powers-Johnson more. He was a standout performer from the first practice. He showcased his versatility while lining up at both center and guard. The compact blocker dominated in the run game. While being initially beat on a few pass rushes, JPJ was able to adjust and recover to still win nearly all of his reps. Interior offensive linemen are not looked at as a premier position, but Jackson Powers-Johnson should be a highly sought-after product due to his athleticism, versatility, and youth.

Positional Skills:

Strengths

JPJ is a stout young man. He has a wide base and shows strong fluid motions through his torso. He has impressive hand usage and packs an incredible first punch. With a reputation as a bully on the field, JPJ brings the attitude you want in the middle of the O-line. He’s violent when seeking opponents in space and constantly tries to fight in a phone booth.

Not only a tough SOB, Powers-Johnson has strong technique, especially in the passing game. He has shown the ability to anchor his spot against rushers and uses his leverage well, despite some length deficiencies. He allowed zero sacks last season over more than 500 pass attempts. He’s a smart player that utilizes his strengths and unique physique to overpower opponents.

Weaknesses

As just a part time player over his freshman and sophomore seasons, JPJ doesn’t bring a lot of starting experience to the table. The Packers typically choose linemen with an extensive starting history. They also typically draft tackles that have the athleticism to move inside to guard at the next level. JPJ provides the versatility to play anywhere along the interior, but he doesn’t have the length to swing out to tackle in a pinch.

He also didn’t test particularly well in the agility drills at the combine and looked a bit sluggish moving to the second level. You’d like to see a bit more explosiveness from an interior player hoping to go in the first round. He’s more of a brick wall than a bulldozer, which may make him more favorable for a power-run system than the Lafleur zone read scheme.

Fit with the Packers:

Personally, I believe Interior Offensive Line is one of the Packers biggest needs. Right guard John Runyan Jr. is an unrestricted free agent. After being in a unique and somewhat surprisingly effective rotation with 2022 3rd round pick Sean Rhyan throughout last season, it would be surprising if Runyan resigned with Green Bay as a starter. Rhyan is still unproven through two years but did show promise in the run game.

At left guard, Elgton Jenkins continues to be a strong presence, although he will turn 29 during the season. He hasn’t quite had the meteoric rise we believed following a Pro Bowl nod in his second season. Another question mark is at JPJ’s natural position of center, where the jury is still out on fourth-year player Josh Myers. The former second-round pick out of Ohio State has been inconsistent through three seasons. He started every game over the past two seasons, to varying results. Always a strong pass protector, Myers hasn't had a strong impact in the run game. That would absolutely change with Jackson Powers-Johnson.

The need for the Packers is evident. The fit is even better. JPJ is viewed as a fringe first rounder—it’s always difficult to know when the first interior lineman will come off the board. He would be an instant upgrade over Myers and Rhyan, but Lafleur could be patient and allow JPJ to gain a bit more experience before taking over for Myers in 2025. This fit is more due to the contract situations of current Packers’ linemen.

I love the player, but the Packers haven’t taken an interior lineman in the first round since the Ron Wolf administration. Expect General Manager Brian Gutekunst to continue mining the middle rounds for college tackles that could slip inside to guard. If Jackson Powers-Johnson slips to the second round, he will provide immense value.

VIDEO: