NFL analyst has Steelers landing 2023 Rimington Trophy-winner in latest NFL.com mock draft

With the addition of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is going to look a lot different in 2024.  At least that was the offseason plan of a team that still found a way to sneak into the playoffs with instability at the quarterback position. 

After making some key additions on both side of the ball via NFL Free Agency and trade, the Steelers set their attention on filling some key gaps through the 2024 NFL Draft.  With needs on the offensive line and the defensive backfield, an NFL.com analyst Charlies has the Steelers selecting Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson with the No. 20 overall pick in the draft.

Mock Draft alert!: Pittsburgh Steelers upgrade at a key position in 2024 NFL Draft

With an opportunity to further cement the offensive line, Davis sees Powers-Johnson as an offensive lineman the Steelers can’t pass up on.

Davis writes:

“I had the Steelers taking an offensive tackle in the first round for the second straight year in my last mock (Broderick Jones was the pick in 2023), but a chance to get the best center in the draft is hard to pass up.”

Most Steelers fans would like the team to select a cornerback or the best available offensive playmaker at this spot, but an opportunity to stabilize the O-line to both protect whoever the QB and add more attitude in the trenches for a team that loves to run the ball is nothing to be upset about.  Is he worth a first-round pick is the question?

Standing at 6-foot-3, 328 pounds, Powers-Johnson ranks as the top center in the 2024 NFL Draft due to his upper body strength and pass protection ability.  That showed in 2023 as he won the 2023 Rimington Trophy and was a First-team Associated Press All-American while protecting Bo Nix.

In his draft analysis, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein sees a competitor in Powers-Johnson:

“Powers-Johnson is a fierce competitor with a salty disposition but needs to improve his first-phase technique to create more consistent block sustains. Despite average athleticism, he doesn’t seem to have many issues in pass protection, as he works with clear eyes, a wide base and good discipline to keep his weight back.”

With an ability to also play guard, Powers-Johnson is going to take snaps as a starting offensive lineman on whatever team selects him.  Davis sees him as a good fit with the Steelers, but two teams selecting behind them could be intrigued by the Oregon product as well.  Both the Dolphins at No. 21 and the Eagles at No. 22 have been linked in some NFL mocks to Powers-Johnson.

If the Steelers are looking to upgrade the position over Mason Cole as a top priority, then Powers-Johnson is a prospect they can’t pass up on unless there’s a tackle who slides down to them at that position as well.  Given the depth at tackle in this draft, grabbing the top center would be a win for the Steelers.