Did the Steelers Center of the Future Just Declare for the NFL Draft?

[hawaiiansteeler]

let's hope our next attempt goes better than our last one.

Did the Steelers Center of the Future Just Declare for the NFL Draft?

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/12/di...for-the-draft/

[oneforthetoe]

Center is a critical need. Even if Cole was playing well, center would still be a need. Hopefully Khan still has his magic next year. Another draft like it appears thus far we had last year nad we might dig ou of this hole yet.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Terrible Towel Tales: Mock draft lands Steelers top center

By Jarrett Bailey Dec 14, 2023

Round 1: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...olph-nfl-draft

[Pastrami]

Terrible Towel Tales: Mock draft lands Steelers top center

By Jarrett Bailey Dec 14, 2023

Round 1: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Center, Oregon

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...olph-nfl-draft

That would be an overdraft of epic proportions. He is a mid-3 round prospect. I would even take Sedrick Van Pran that high. We should be able to get a franchise Center round 2.

[Born2Steel]

The man with 3 last names.

- - - Updated - - -

The Killer JPJ’s!

[Born2Steel]

We do need IOL in this draft. We also need a blue chip DL this draft. Hoping Holcomb and Alexander come back fully but probably looking at an ILB at some point. Another Safety, preferably a box safety with decent cover skills. Maybe another CB or 2. Almost forgot, a QB.

[BlackAndGold]

JPJ may have become my early draft crush. I'm not sure what the draft grades of rounds 2-3 come from, guessing it's just too early. He looks like a round one talent.

[Born2Steel]

JPJ may have become my early draft crush. I'm not sure what the draft grades of rounds 2-3 come from, guessing it's just too early. He looks like a round one talent.

For a team that desperately needs him he is a 1st round prospect.

[hawaiiansteeler]

NFL Mock Draft roundup: Steelers a popular landing spot for Alabama OT J.C. Latham

Ahead of Week 18, Pittsburgh projects for the 18th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jan 5, 2024

J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

At 6’6” and 360 pounds, J.C. Latham is a true career right tackle who would allow Broderick Jones to slide back over to the left side of the line and play at his natural position. His frame is monstrous, playing at 360 pounds in his junior season though he moves better than you’d guess for a dude that size to pair with the strength. Latham has started at right tackle for the last two seasons, but did play some reps at right guard as a true freshman — some versatility the Steelers could value given how the OL has played out over the past couple of seasons.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...-taliese-fuaga

[hawaiiansteeler]

they have us drafting an OT also:

2024 NFL Draft: ESPN updates 1st round mock draft

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

https://www.on3.com/pro/news/2024-nf...tball-playoff/

[Rotorhead]

My thoughts are we need OT and CB in the first 2 rounds. I think we are ok at ILB considering we have 25 of them hurt and they were playing well before that. I think we could use a DL in the 3rd to add to that rotation and get Cam some rest during the season as he is getting older. After that BPA because those are our only real holes.

As for QB, we need an OC first (with a real NFL level offense) so we can see what we actual have with KP before we replace him. But if we can solidify the OL and DBs then draft a QB to replace KP if needed, that QB would come into a situation where he could thrive.

[hawaiiansteeler]

on SNR Lolley and Williamson said the Steelers would draft him at #20.

[BlackAndGold]

The only roadblock stopping JPJ being the pick at #20 is that history shows that the first pick will be the school Tomlin and co visit for pro days, and they NEVER travel out west.

JPJ is a stud.

[Born2Steel]

Jackson Powers-Johnson
Graham Barton
Sedrick Van Pran
Zach Frazier

There are a few Center options in this draft.

[86WARD]

JPJ in 2023 and JPJ in 2024.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Mike Tomlin Never Changes

While the Senior Bowl has gone through its fair share of changes, including having underclassmen at the event, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin continues to be standing right in the middle of the one-on-one events of offensive linemen and defensive linemen going at it. A particular underclassman he seemed to be very interested in was Oregons' Jackson Powers-Johnson, who many deem to be the top center in the class.

Powers-Johnson had an absolutely terrific day showcasing the power necessary to reset the own line of scrimmage in the run game while also being rock solid in pass protection. There are few flaws, if any, to pick apart in his game and the more time goes on, the more that connection grows.

He wasn't the only one to catch the keen eye of Tomlin, though, with mammoth offensive tackle out of Oklahoma, Tyler Guyton, who was making his presence known with authority. Tomlin really liked what he saw and pulled him aside afterward to compliment his finishing capabilities.

to read more:

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news...used-one-group

[BlackAndGold]

Did not take long for JPJ hype to take off.

One hell of a player

[hawaiiansteeler]

Leader at the turn

There already seems to be a fan favorite when it comes to Steelers draft hype. And it’s Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

I, uh, can’t say that I disagree with the masses here. The Steelers need help at the position. And the Ducks offensive lineman has some good tape.


According to SteelersDepot.com, he was scheduled to meet with the Steelers a second time Wednesday evening at the Senior Bowl.

“Talked to Coach Tomlin yesterday a little bit,” Powers-Johnson told Jonathan Heitritter. “Just introduced myself, said hello. I had an interview with them, I think, two days ago. I think I have an interview with them tonight as well.”

Powers-Johnson is 6-foot-3, 334 pounds. He only started full time at center for one full season at Oregon but won the Rimington Trophy as the best college player at the position. He was also All-Pac-12 and a unanimous All-American.

https://triblive.com/sports/first-ca...-arthur-smith/

[86WARD]

Leader at the turn

There already seems to be a fan favorite when it comes to Steelers draft hype. And it’s Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

I, uh, can’t say that I disagree with the masses here. The Steelers need help at the position. And the Ducks offensive lineman has some good tape.


According to SteelersDepot.com, he was scheduled to meet with the Steelers a second time Wednesday evening at the Senior Bowl.

“Talked to Coach Tomlin yesterday a little bit,” Powers-Johnson told Jonathan Heitritter. “Just introduced myself, said hello. I had an interview with them, I think, two days ago. I think I have an interview with them tonight as well.”

Powers-Johnson is 6-foot-3, 334 pounds. He only started full time at center for one full season at Oregon but won the Rimington Trophy as the best college player at the position. He was also All-Pac-12 and a unanimous All-American.

https://triblive.com/sports/first-ca...-arthur-smith/

I’m all in…

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers ‘Absolutely Love’ Star West Virginia Center Zach Frazier

February 1, 2024
By Nick Farabaugh

https://steelersnow.com/pittsburgh-s...rginia-center/

[lipps83]

Dammit. I am now sold on JPJ.

We need a new Mike Webster.

JPJ or just forfeit the draft.

[pczach]

Steelers ‘Absolutely Love’ Star West Virginia Center Zach Frazier

February 1, 2024
By Nick Farabaugh

https://steelersnow.com/pittsburgh-s...rginia-center/

Frazier is an awesome player. He has everything you want with all the intangibles and leadership. I just wonder how much his season-ending injury will affect his draft stock. He's not as big as JPJ, but he plays big. Watched him play several times, and he was the lynchpin of that OL. They were a great unit, and Frazier was the leader of that group. He has some excellent tape as well. The kid has great leverage skills and really seems to have a feel how to handle the man in front of him. He has really good feet and he finishes blocks. Great hands too.

I really like this player, plus he may be available a little later in the draft than JPJ or Van Pran. The injury is a concern, and may have an impact on when he can play this coming season, or how well he can play this season as he likely won't be 100% until late next season.

We also need to see his arm length to judge the entire package.

I love some of these centers coming out this season.

Here's a look at Frazier:

[hawaiiansteeler]

PFF: JPJ is absolutely a Steeler

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/02/pf...ely-a-steeler/

[86WARD]

PFF: JPJ is absolutely a Steeler

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/02/pf...ely-a-steeler/

PFF retread via Steelers Depot…



I would be happy with those results tho…

[Born2Steel]

Frazier is an awesome player. He has everything you want with all the intangibles and leadership. I just wonder how much his season-ending injury will affect his draft stock. He's not as big as JPJ, but he plays big. Watched him play several times, and he was the lynchpin of that OL. They were a great unit, and Frazier was the leader of that group. He has some excellent tape as well. The kid has great leverage skills and really seems to have a feel how to handle the man in front of him. He has really good feet and he finishes blocks. Great hands too.

I really like this player, plus he may be available a little later in the draft than JPJ or Van Pran. The injury is a concern, and may have an impact on when he can play this coming season, or how well he can play this season as he likely won't be 100% until late next season.

We also need to see his arm length to judge the entire package.

I love some of these centers coming out this season.

Here's a look at Frazier:

And...he wears 54. Webster 52, Pouncey 53, next? Dawson killed it in 63 though.

I love that there are some options at Center this draft.

[Born2Steel]

Van Pran:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wWK3S35LeY

Graham Barton article:
https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2023/...raft-prospect/
I couldn't find any videos of him actually playing at center.

Drake Nugent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X58DpfSytA
Some of these are him playing at Stanford and some with Michigan.

Tanor Bortolini:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wfoFXT9Ylw

Just a few to watch that already look so much better at Center than what we have seen for the Steelers since Pouncey.

[Shoes]

If the Steelers want JPJ they need to take him at 20 or Miami will at 21. He won't make to R2 @51

[Mojouw]

If the Steelers want JPJ they need to take him at 20 or Miami will at 21. He won't make to R2 @51

Will they?

Each draft season, there are a few highly touted center prospects. We all love them. The draft talkers all love them. And then NFL teams just don't draft them that high. I do not know the reason, but teams rarely spend top 50 picks on centers. I realize it does happen - it did last year. But looking at this....these guys tend to last longer than we might think.

https://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions/c

[Shoes]

Will they?

Each draft season, there are a few highly touted center prospects. We all love them. The draft talkers all love them. And then NFL teams just don't draft them that high. I do not know the reason, but teams rarely spend top 50 picks on centers. I realize it does happen - it did last year. But looking at this....these guys tend to last longer than we might think.

https://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions/c

Nice link! I'm only saying if they want JPJ, if he is as good as everyone says he is then it will have to be at 20. It seems to me only a few of the #1 "C" on that list made it to a 51st pick.

[Mojouw]

Nice link! I'm only saying if they want JPJ, if he is as good as everyone says he is then it will have to be at 20. It seems to me none of the #1 "C" on that list made it to a 51st pick.

I think using the first round pick at either of the lines could very easily be how they go.