Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made his presence felt once again at the 2024 Senior Bowl practice and may have convinced himself he could be Pittsburgh’s next great offensive lineman.Tomlin focused on Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, who he spoke with after the first practice since the Senior Bowl. Mike Tomlin and Oregon center Jackson Powers Johnson after practice. Powers Johnson had a good first day. pic.twitter.com/ggtioVgSkL— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) January 30, 2024There’s a reason Tomlin is interested in the 21-year-old. Powers-Johnson single-handedly dominated the day, beating out the top defensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft. Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson plays every game on Day 1 of the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/AsRO932ANM— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 30, 2024
However, adding Powers-Johnson to the Steelers’ roster in 2024 would be costly. He is ranked as Pro Football Focus’ top center and the No. 22 prospect overall. But Pittsburgh, barring any trades or trades, of course, will make the first selection with the 20th pick. It may not be a first-round pick in profile, but it was necessary. Mason Cole, who has been the team’s center the last two seasons, is rated as one of the worst centers in the NFL by PFF.The 28-year-old recently signed a three-year, $15.75 million contract with the Steelers through 2022, but they could cut ties with him this offseason. Moving on from Cole would save the team $4.75 million.Powers-Johnson could replace Cole. The 6-foot-1, 320-pound center was named a first-team All-American after posting 471 passing yards and just one pressure.The last time Pittsburgh used a first-round pick on a center was in 2010 (Maurice Pouncey). And that’s for the better.
Because he’s been one of the best centers in the league for over a decade.There is still plenty of time for draft stocks to fluctuate between now and the end of April. But Powers-Johnson could be the Steelers’ next offensive lineman.
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