Now that the Super Bowl matchup is set and there are days leading up until the big game, there is no better appetizer than getting officially prepared for the 2024 draft. The Reese’s Senior Bowl kicks off with practice today as media members descend on Mobile, Alabama.
Leading up to Saturday’s All-Star game at the University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium, the nation’s best college seniors will put their skills on display for scouts and reporters from around the football landscape and the all-seeing eye of social media virtual executives.
With pre-draft hype always at a fever pitch around this time of year, there is truly no better place to start than this Senior Bowl week, and already there has been a player catching the eye of journalists as well as fans of teams needing a certain position on the offensive line.
Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson has been making his presence felt around social media circles with video highlights of his overall skill set at the center position. At 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds, Powers-Johnson is a mountain of a man, and his Resse’s Senior Bowl measurables from Monday’s welcome day have been the talk of Twitter in the early coverage of this process.
Sweet mother of God, Jackson Powers-Johnson… pic.twitter.com/TFdYJJQ4Gw
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) January 29, 2024
Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl Jim Nagy had a fine endorsement for JPJ, telling the media, “Jackson is a fun guy to watch. … He plays with an edge.”
Beyond the measurables, Powers-Johnson was outstanding this past season for the Ducks, as he allowed up just one quarterback hurry, zero hits on said quarterback, and not a single sack while playing at center. He was awarded the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top center.
As his tape shows, this prospect is not just massive in the frame; he can move. He can get to the next level and does a great job matching up against the middle and back end of the defense to help runners gain maximum yardage. Overall, it is a very good run-blocking center, yet it could use some improvement as a pass protector. Regardless, he has an excellent foundation to build on as a prospect, and can absolutely could be plugged in as a pro starter in Week 1.
Damnnn Jackson Powers-Johnson! pic.twitter.com/OTg7fy5IC1
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 30, 2024
When looking at what he could add to a team like, say, the Miami Dolphins, first, there is an unknown element in the equation. Free agent center, Connor Williams is open to see what his market is this offseason. While coming off of an ACL injury, it’s uncertain where he will play in 2024 and beyond, and with many financial loose ends needed for the Dolphins to figure out on both sides of the ball, drafting a center could be the way to go in April’s draft. Especially sitting at picks 21 in the first round, and 55th in the second round, perfect territory for a center.
Assuming Miami may need to outsource if Williams leaves, Powers-Johnson would be the ideal prospect at this moment and could create havoc when potentially getting out in space and helping potential Dolphin ball carriers get those coveted yards after contact, catch, or simply to help create a fear of moving the ball at will.
Miami has had a fine history at the center position, and that list goes back to Jim Langer, who was actually signed by the Dolphins after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns after being undrafted. Langer ended up as one of the best Dolphins of all time and a Hall of Famer. Fellow Hall of Fame Dolphins’ center Dwight Stephenson was selected by Miami in the 1980 draft, and Miami had players like Tim Ruddy from the 1994 class and Mike Pouncey from 2011 man the center spot for quite some time, creating consistency in the middle of the offensive line.
From 1973-1978, Langer was the best in the business, earning Pro Bowl Honors as well as All-Pro selections in three of that season. His ten-year career in Miami helped earn three Super Bowl trips and two victories.
Remarkably, when Langer went to Minnesota in 1980, Stephenson was next man up and, after a few seasons, became a steady All-Pro, four straight years from 1984-1987, snapping to and protecting Dan Marino in those seasons.
The 90s brought Notre Dame’s Tim Ruddy for Marino 2.0, the back-nine of his career, so to speak. Ruddy was as tough as nails and a beast of a player, missing only four games in his ten-year career. Then we get to a glorious run with Pouncey, who not only dominated as a center for his first three years in the NFL but also earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2013, then moved temporarily to right guard in 2014, still becoming a Pro Bowler. He is just one of three Dolphins to earn trips to the Pro Bowl at two positions, joining Randy Starks and Cameron Wake.
The Dolphins have had their share of franchise-level centers, and this could just be the year they have a legitimate shot at the next one.