Powers-Johnson has spent the majority of the draft season as the top center, but Barton’s stock has surged in the past month. Still, it’s easy to see why Powers-Johnson had so much hype: no starting center ranked better in the three main PFF grades than Powers-Johnson in 2023, and he did so for a very talented Oregon offense.
One of the concerns, though, is that 2023 was the first season in which Powers-Johnson had been a starter. He started one game at right guard in 2022 and also started two games, one at each guard spot, in 2021. That’s a small sample size on which to evaluate Powers-Johnson, but his 2023 film is enough to make any offensive line coach salivate.
There are also some medical questions to be answered with Powers-Johnson. He had several injuries in college, including groin and hip issues on top of multiple concussions. There have also been whispers that some teams are taking him off their draft board due to medical concerns, though nothing concrete has been reported. Of course, the Cowboys have rarely shied away from draft prospects with injury histories.
A multi-sport athlete growing up, Powers-Johnson plays light on his feet in pass protection and as a run blocker, with the natural movement skills and stability at contact to torque and fend off defenders. With his contact balance and composure, he rarely appears overwhelmed on tape, although the defensive line play in the NFL is a giant leap ahead of what he saw in the Pac 12.
Overall, Powers-Johnson’s inexperience is reflected in his technique, but he offers a fantastic combination of size, athleticism and toughness, with the skill set that translates to both center and guard. His game reminds me of Ryan Kelly, who won the Rimington Award at Alabama before becoming a first-round pick in 2016.
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