Jackson Powers-Johnson: The Most Intriguing Man in the 2024 NFL Draft

Despite his limited experience at the position, Jackson Powers-Johnson has emerged as a top center prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. With a burger named after him and a personalized gift package from Nutella, JPJ is a character off the field. But on the field, he has the size, strength, and impressive pancake blocks to make him a potential first-round pick. However, centers are often undervalued by NFL teams, so it remains to be seen if Powers-Johnson's unique qualities will be enough to break that trend.

Jackson Powers-Johnson is a 21-year-old Oregonian who has quickly become one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. After playing three years at Oregon, Powers-Johnson has just 17 career starts, with only one coming at center. But in that one season, he won the Rimington Trophy, given to college football's top center.

Powers-Johnson's impressive strength and pancake blocks are among his most notable traits. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times at the NFL Combine, a feat achieved by only five other players out of 324.

"There's not much to dislike about his game," said longtime NFL lineman and FOX Sports analyst Geoff Schwartz. "You look at the way he plays with violence, finishing blocks. He has a lot of highlight blocks that you don't get at center."

Powers-Johnson's strength is not just limited to the weight room.

"There's weight-room strength and there's play strength, and he has both," said Oregon offensive line coach A'lique Terry. "There's multiple times he's throwing two-three people out of the way."

Off the field, Powers-Johnson is a multi-faceted individual. He sings, plays the guitar, and has his own burger named after him at the Elkhorn Brewery in Eugene.

Despite his lack of experience at center, Powers-Johnson has taken official visits with seven NFL teams and is expected to be one of the top interior offensive linemen drafted. Some teams have even expressed interest in drafting him as a guard, given his versatility.

Powers-Johnson's potential is undeniable, but centers are often undervalued by NFL teams. The highest-paid center in the league, Detroit's Frank Ragnow, makes $13.5 million per year, while 23 offensive tackles make more than that.

"Great teams have great centers," said Powers-Johnson. "Even though the league in the draft doesn't really value centers, once you get there, I feel like teams do really value their center."

Whether Powers-Johnson will buck the trend of undervalued centers remains to be seen. But with his unique combination of size, strength, and off-field charisma, he has the potential to be a special player in the NFL.

NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang believes Powers-Johnson has the ability to be a leader and an anchor on the offensive line. Despite his limited experience, Rang says Powers-Johnson has shown enough in his film to impress scouts.

"He's one that can handle it," said Terry. "Many teams fear there's a lot of responsibility on those guys early, but he's one that can handle it."

Powers-Johnson is aware of the challenges that come with playing center in the NFL, but he is confident in his abilities.

"I think I have that as well," said Powers-Johnson. "Also guys like Creed Humphrey, Jason Kelce, the intricacies of their games are so great to watch and add different tools to my toolbox."

If Powers-Johnson can continue to develop his game and stay healthy, he has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has the size, strength, and intangibles to be a successful center in the NFL for many years to come.