The Bucks revived their playoff fortunes last month, winning four straight and winning the championship. They led the NFC South 8-7. A win against the New Orleans Saints next week will clinch the division title with one week left in the regular season. The Bucs’ ability to make the playoffs is due in part to the surprisingly good play of their offensive line. However, the weak spot may be at center with Robert Hainsey likely to be replaced next year. So here’s a profile of Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson for this 2024 NFL Draft.
Tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke anchored the line. Be expected Probably one of the worst in the NFL, have There was nothing else. Right guard Cody Mauch has contributed some continuous and variable play, but the arrow is pointing upwards. The center and left guard positions are a little more overwhelmed with two players who are probably playing near their ceiling and still below league average playing performance.
Aaron Stinney has grown as a run blocker, replacing Matt Feiler as the starting left guard. And for the second year in a row, Hainzuh has provided starter-level play in place of Ryan Jensen, albeit at a lower tier. Of the 32 centers who have played the most snaps this season, Hainsey ranks tied for 28th in overall blocking rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
Hainsey, due in part to his lightweight frame, has a hard time holding up one-on-one against the challenge of the interior defensive linemen currently scattered on rosters across the NFL. The lack of strength in his play limits the ceiling of both his play and the Bucs offensive line as a whole. It may be incumbent on the Bucks to keep an eye on the 2024 NFL Draft and find a potential player to surpass Hainsey in the future.
Introducing Jackson Powers Johnson
Oregon C Jackson Powers Johnson – Photo Credit: USA Today
One of the most interesting prospects available at the center position is Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. Powers Johnson is a large, square man with a barrel chest and strength and power that lasts for days. At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he looks more like Ryan Jensen (6-foot-4, 319) than Hainsey (6-foot-4, 306).
Jackson Powers has a very square overall frame and good size from hips to thighs, so he supports his weight well. He won the 2023 Rimington Award as the best center in college football.
Powers-Johnson, a junior, started all 13 games in 2023 after appearing in 14 games the past two years, primarily as a guard. As a pass blocker, he has logged 691 pass blocking snaps dating back to the beginning of 2022, allowing no sacks and just three pressures.
In both seasons, Powers-Johnson’s pass blocking efficiency was over 99%, with PFF grades of 86.2 and 90.6. His run blocking is almost as good, with his two-year grade hovering around 85.0.
Jackson Powers Johnson’s biggest characteristics
No conversation about young offensive linemen would be complete without discussing the strength of Jackson Powers-Johnson’s play. His large frame lends itself to powerful drive blocks, allowing him to use the power of his entire body to move larger humans trying to avoid him. He uses his heavy hands to compliment his strong core, and once he locks on to a defensive lineman, he usually disappears.
I’m a huge Jackson Powers-Johnson fan and he’s probably the player I’d most like to see in a Steelers uniform.pic.twitter.com/ek5ZOs3epk
— Nick Martin (@themicknartin) December 11, 2023
His strength isn’t just the latch-and-hold variety. Powers-Johnson can also generate explosive power when needed.
Oregon C’s Jackson Powers-Johnson is playing against an amazing ILB. An explosive punch that quickly changes routes. pic.twitter.com/hBUBN2eETy
— Joshua Quaipo (@josh_queipo) December 25, 2023
But what Bucks fans will enjoy most is how he plays in space. If Powers-Johnson hits his stride, keep an eye out. He travels through space like a comet, looking for objects to collide with, trying to find something to destroy.
#Oregon Center Jackson Powers Johnson
He’s been a fun player to study over the past two weeks. physically! Excellent run-blocking center who can also play in space. pic.twitter.com/VrkrRiaoS5
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 30, 2023
Jackson Powers Johnson’s Limits
My research on Jackson Powers-Johnson shows that the Oregon center has limited hip dexterity. I don’t expect him to test well in agility drills and I think this will limit his use at the NFL level. We highlighted how he stands out in space above, but most of those high-end reps have him moving downhill in a straight line. Outside or wide zone schemes don’t suit his skill set as well as power-based blocking schemes.
The Bucks’ offense is predicated on a midzone blocking scheme, and offensive coordinator Dave Canales has adapted to more one-gap looks lately, so Jackson Powers could work just fine within the Bucks’ offense. .
But the biggest opportunity I saw on the clock was in his balance. When anticipating contact or preparing for what’s in front of him, he uses a square stance with a wide base to take advantage of his great core strength. But in doing so, Jackson Powers is often not light-footed enough to deal with unexpected contact. Therefore, a small impact from the side or rear often causes them to fall to the ground. I’m a little worried that this could lead to injury in the future.
Finally, he tends to rely too much on his generous power and strength combo. Combined with his tall frame, he often loses leverage battles with defensive linemen. Like I said, he doesn’t have much fire at the collegiate level because he has the brutal power to throw rocks at opponents and beat them down. But at the NFL level, his strength will no longer be special, and he will need to hone his ability to drop down the order consistently.
final thoughts
Other attributes I liked about Jackson Powers-Johnson’s game were his work ethic and drive. This endears him to his teammates, and those are the lunch-bucket qualities I look for in an O-line player. Combine that with a finisher’s mentality reminiscent of Ryan Jensen and you have an easy guy to root for.
Most of his areas of opportunity can be learned and developed, which means that his ceiling is relatively high. As the first official full draft profile in my 2024 NFL Draft research, I have Powers-Johnson’s second-round grade. So he’s technically number one on my board at the moment.