The 2023 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers was abruptly ended after a difficult Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills. It may take another year before supporters witness the team win a postseason game for the first time since the 2016 campaign. The NFL Draft is often considered to be the greatest, even if free agency is an exciting aspect of the offseason. General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl will have their hands busy attempting to duplicate a strong class in 2023 after an incredible year. It won’t be simple to choose candidates who are ready for the NFL because some needs are more evident than others.
Center is a crucial position that the team will probably seek eventually. Mason Cole was very inconsistent in his second season with the organization after signing a three-year contract in the 2022 summer. His passes were disorganized, and he lacked the toughness to overwhelm the opposition’s defense. Khan has every incentive to challenge the seasoned player head-to-head.
A top candidate for the role in the 2023 class is University of Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson. Originally considered a second-round pick, he was a huge contributor to the high-scoring Ducks offense. Unfortunately for Steelers supporters who might be falling in love with him, Powers-Johnson is climbing swiftly after Senior Bowl workouts, according to Mel Kiper Jr., the most respected draft analyst out there, who said as much on First Draft, a podcast he co-hosts with Field Yates.
When Yates asked Kiper to analyze who would be a “riser” on draft boards following the Senior Bowl practices, Powers-Johnson was the first player he brought up. When Pittsburgh selected a center in the first round of the previous draft, Maurkice Pouncey went on to have ten fantastic seasons as a player. With so many needs, the issue then becomes: Would the Steelers be willing to replace Cole with Powers-Johnson by selecting him with the 20th overall pick?
Mason Cole (#61), a center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, warms up before a 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, at St. Vincent College.
Kiper never stopped praising Powers-Johnson’s skill and expressed his genuine belief that he might be an excellent player in the NFL for a very long time. He had faith in his assessment.
In 2024, the Steelers cannot afford to allow Cole to snap footballs.
Cole was at an all-time low in 2023—it was astounding. Cole should not be in the starting lineup if the Steelers are serious about improving their offensive performance. Though he is regarded as an excellent leader, he hasn’t proved himself worthy of a third season as Pittsburgh’s starting center. Going for someone like Powers-Johnson in the first round would not be the most insane thing to do.
Do you believe a center might be selected by the Steelers with their first-round pick in 2024? Tell us in the comments section below!
