NFC Contender Dallas Cowboys may sign the top center of this year’s NFL Draft by selecting Oregon product Jackson Powers-Johnson. He’s one of the best offensive linemen available for the draft next week, after winning the 2023 Rimington Trophy, presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I. He can play guard at the NFL level as well since he started filling both positions with the Ducks and playing some defensive tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he was credited with allowing zero sacks, one quarterback hit and three quarterback hurries.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys lost their starting center, Tyler Biadasz to the Washington Commanders so this move would make sense. This isn’t the only need after losing their long-term veteran left tackle, Tyron Smith to the Jets. Dallas has a few needs in this year’s draft for the offensive line position so they’ll likely focus on that for their first-round selection. Yet, Cowboy executive vice president Stephon Jones doesn’t see the same urgency as what the fans want.
Jerry Jones hasn’t taken an offensive lineman since owning the team in 1989 until taking Smith in the first round in 2011. He continued to grab more linemen such as Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Tyler Smith. They’ve all proven to be successful picks so anything is possible. Jones could do the same for the next five years to improve their offensive line despite having Tyler Smith and Martin as two cornerstone players who are starters.
The Cowboys have plenty of holes on their offense that they need to address. Dallas is attempting to restore their running back position by signing Royce Freeman but it shouldn’t stop there. After losing Tony Pollard, they need someone who can be a starter.
NFC Contender Dallas Cowboys May Sign Top Center Jackson Powers-Johnson in NFL Draft
The Offensive Line is the Biggest Need
The Jones family is expressing they may not draft an offensive lineman after their expression in the guys they have. Stephen doesn’t see the same vision as Cowboys fans despite the team using the majority of their top 30 visits for the position.
“We just think you have to continue to evolve as an offensive line,” he said. “Certainly, you hate to lose a player like Tyron Smith, who’s in my opinion going to be a Hall of Famer. I think he’s going to be wearing a yellow jacket. But at the same time, unfortunately, Tyron’s had to miss a lot of games, and at some point, you have to make those decisions.”
Jones continues to offer praise to Matt Waletzsko and Asim Richards who could emerge as starters in the future. With that, this probably points out that the biggest need is elsewhere in their time. There’s a chance that they could be playing coy but a statement like this could make talking heads wonder if the Cowboys are serious this year or tanking. It sounds like they don’t want to take a chance on a guy like Powers-Johnson in this year’s first-round selection.
Potential Team Fits for Jackson Powers-Johnson
Some sources are claiming that the Pittsburgh Steelers could select Powers-Johnson with the No. 20 pick in this year’s draft. The Steelers will feature a run-heavy attack under new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. This sounds perfect for the Oregon product so that enough instincts he could bring to the middle of the offensive line. They released starting center Mason Cole so this move would fill the hole nicely for the Steelers.
The Miami Dolphins are another possible landing spot for the top center. They have the N0. 21 pick and if the Steelers don’t select him then they could. However, they signed former Titans center Aaron Brewer to a three-year contract so that means he could be the starter. This wouldn’t leave much room for the Oregon product but they could have some competition in Miami for the starting role.
