To this point, it’s been a really busy first week of the brand new league yr for the Pittsburgh Steelers and GM Omar Khan.
Early within the offseason, the Steelers have added quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Patrick Queen, security DeShon Elliott and punter Cameron Johnson in free company and traded for cornerback Donte Jackson and quarterback Justin Fields, creating fairly a little bit of turnover on the quarterback place.
Regardless of it being relatively busy from the Steelers’ perspective, they haven’t spent a lot cash in free company and nonetheless discover themselves with some key holes on the roster. Among the holes may need to attend till the 2024 NFL Draft to be plugged, one in all which is at middle.
After reducing Mason Cole forward of the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix, the Steelers haven’t been energetic within the middle market in free company, lacking out on some skilled, reasonably priced names that might have been starter-level guys. By lacking out, the Steelers now have to show their consideration to the draft.
Within the draft, there’s one identify that’s considered as a “good match” for the Steelers primarily based on strikes in free company. For Professional Soccer Focus NFL Draft analyst Trevor Sikkema, that good match is Oregon middle Jackson Powers-Johnson.
In a chunk for PFF.com Tuesday morning, Sikkema made the case for why the one-year starter at Oregon and one of many darlings of the pre-draft cycle is the right match for the Black and Gold.
“Isaac Seumalo was the one Steelers offensive lineman to earn a PFF season grade above 61.2 final season. They appear to be OK with Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr on the deal with spots, so an inside addition can be welcomed. Jackson Powers-Johnson solely had one yr as a full-time starter at Oregon, however he was dominant,” Sikkemma writes relating to Powers-Johnson being an ideal match for the Steelers. “He continued that pattern on the Senior Bowl, the place he carried out nicely at each middle and guard. He might fill both spot for Pittsburgh of their 2024 beginning lineup.”
During the last two seasons, the Steelers have tried to rebuild their offseason line, signing the likes of Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels in free company, and buying and selling up within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft to land Broderick Jones.
Middle and left deal with stay main holes on the roster, but it surely does seem that the Steelers are keen to roll with Moore and Jones because the bookends for an additional yr. Middle wants a serious improve, and Powers-Johnson is the highest within the class.
Steelers’ offensive line coach Pat Meyer went to Eugene final week for the Geese’ Professional Day to place Powers-Johnson by way of positional drills, getting a very good take a look at the Oregon standout. That got here a number of weeks after Powers-Johnson went viral for tossing Steelers assistant OL coach Isaac Williams apart throughout positional drills on the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix.
The Steelers have proven curiosity in Powers-Johnson all through the pre-draft course of, assembly with him on the Senior Bowl after which sending Meyer to his Professional Day. There may be some concern that head coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan weren’t on the Geese’ Professional Day, so traditionally that might eradicate him from the first-round dialogue.
However there isn’t a denying the match that appears to be there, at the least on paper, with Powers-Johnson and the Steelers.
