Bengals draft target Jackson Powers-Johnson boosts stock after dominant Senior Bowl week
It's been five years since the Cincinnati Bengals took an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft. They could be due to break that streak this April if Jackson Powers-Johnson is available to them. Powers-Johnson is in contention to become the draft's top interior lineman after an impressive week at the Senior […]
It's been five years since the Cincinnati Bengals took an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft. They could be due to break that streak this April if Jackson Powers-Johnson is available to them.
Powers-Johnson is in contention to become the draft's top interior lineman after an impressive week at the Senior Bowl. He's played both right guard and center for the Oregon Ducks, and proved to be proficient at both positions this past week at the Senior Bowl.
So proficient that it's looking like the Bengals are only going to have one chance to draft him.
Jackson Powers-Johnson draft stock update
They say the draft starts in Mobile, but Powers-Johnson was already viewed as an early-round prospect entering the week. It's what he did over the past few days that only solidified that.
Powers-Johnson, according to one source who spoke to A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson, firmly established himself as a first-round pick following his outstanding practice sessions in Mobile.
"Top 13 is a little rich, but no way he slips out of the first round. That's saying a lot for a center."
This year's class of prospects is full of o-linemen at the top, mainly those who protect the edge at tackle. Powers-Johnson entered the week as fringe first-round prospect, and likely leaves it as apart of the top 32 conversation.
Positional versatility is on JPJ's side as he's played multiple positions inside, but the 21-year old has an understanding of what it means to play center.
"You got to make calls, you got to see just more than the person in front of you," Powers-Johnson said after practice. "You got to look at the whole box. You got to look at the safeties, you got to know what every single position is doing. You got to command them to do that, you know, and the center does that for the entire offense and most of the receivers and running backs, but the center does it for the offensive line."
What's even more impressive is Powers-Johnson didn't even finish the week of practice. He suffered a hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice and didn't participate Thursday. He didn't have to after looking virtually flawless Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Bengals should be interested in upgrading their o-line for the present and future. Powers-Johnson could start immediately at left guard and stay there permanently, or take over at center or right guard next year.
He's the type of player that can get the job done regardless of the plan. It's why the Bengals will have to draft him as early as possible.
Bengals can make a match made in heaven by drafting Senior Bowl riser
Cincinnati watched him have a stellar week in Mobile.
