Steelers Projected to Target Center With Maurkice Pouncey Potential
As the truism goes, in the event that people don’t concentrate on history, they are sentenced to rehash it. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, they would cherish a touch of ongoing history to rehash the same thing. Luke Easterling of SI.com’s All NFL Draft made the prediction that the Steelers would select Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson at number one in his most recent NFL mock draft. 20 total.
It’s still from the get-go in the draft cycle, however Powers-Johnson is attracting correlations with previous Steelers All-Star focus Maurkice Pouncey.
According to Easterling’s writing, “Pittsburgh could go offensive tackle in the first round for the second year in a row, but they also need to upgrade at center.” New hostile organizer Arthur Smith will need to restore an actual character based on a prevailing ground game, and Powers-Johnson will set that sort of tone down and dirty.”
Michael Beck of SB Nation compared Powers-Johnson’s potential to Pouncey’s. During his 11-year career, the former Steelers center was named to the first team All-Pro twice and to the second team All-Pro three times.
Do you recall the instant boost to the Steelers’ offense that Maurkice Pouncey provided when he was selected? Beck composed on X (previously Twitter).
“I truly think Powers-Johnson has that equivalent potential.”
Do you recall the prompt lift Maurkice Pouncey was to the Steelers offense when he was drafted?
How Center Jackson Powers-Johnson Could Fit With the Pittsburgh Steelers
Assuming the Steelers draft a hostile lineman in the main cycle, a hostile tackle would be the clearest decision. Regardless of whether 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones changes to left handle, the Steelers could then utilize an overhaul at right tackle.
However, as Easterling made sense of, focus is where Pittsburgh could improve.
Steelers occupant focus Bricklayer Cole battled essentially in 2023. In four of his six NFL seasons, Cole received a PFF grade below 60. Then, at that point, in 2023, he had a vocation low 53.2 grade.
Cole ranked 18th out of 20 centers with more than 1,000 snaps, according to PFF.
He battled the most in pass assurance. Among all focuses who played last season, PFF evaluated Cole 52nd out of 56 in pass hindering.
Powers-Johnson might be able to be upgraded right away. ESPN and PFF both have him positioned as one of the main two habitats accessible in the 2024 draft class.
Seat Report has Abilities Johnson recorded as the No. 2 inside hostile lineman in the impending class in its most recent draft rankings.
During Pouncey’s youngster season in 2010, the Steelers improved from nineteenth to eleventh in surging yards. Pittsburgh likewise permitted 7 less sacks during Pouncey’s most memorable NFL crusade.
Pouncey made second-group All-Ace and the Star Bowl as a new kid on the block. After that, he was named to the first team of All-Pro in his second season and to the second team in 2012.
Steelers Meet With Powers-Johnson at 2024 Senior Bowl
The Steelers aren’t simply connected to the Oregon place for the sake of entertainment speculative fake drafts.
On January 31, Powers-Johnson informed Jonathan Heitritter of Steelers Depot that he met with the Steelers at the 2024 Senior Bowl.
Powers-Johnson told Heitritter, “I spoke with Coach Tomlin briefly yesterday.” Just presented myself, made proper acquaintance. They interviewed me, I believe, two days ago. I assume I have a meeting with them this evening also.”
SI.com’s All Steelers’ Scratch Martin detailed that the Oregon place additionally invested energy with Tomlin during drills at training.
Cole could be a candidate for the team’s cut list if the Steelers select Powers-Johnson. Getting rid of Cole would free up $4.75 million from the salary cap.
Notwithstanding, 2024 is the last year of Cole’s agreement.
