Eagles trade up for Jason Kelce's replacement in latest NFL mock draft
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce officially announced his retirement after 13 perfect seasons repping midnight green for the Birds. With Kelce throwing in the towel, the Eagles have a new priority heading into the 2024 NFL Draft and that's finding his replacement. In A to Z Sports' latest NFL mock draft following the 2024 NFL […]
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce officially announced his retirement after 13 perfect seasons repping midnight green for the Birds.
With Kelce throwing in the towel, the Eagles have a new priority heading into the 2024 NFL Draft and that's finding his replacement.
In A to Z Sports' latest NFL mock draft following the 2024 NFL Combine, draft analyst Destin Adam has the Eagles trading up with the Indianapolis Colts from No. 22 overall to No. 15 overall to select Kelce's future successor in Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson:
"The Eagles lost a staple on their roster with the news of Jason Kelce retiring. And GM Howie Roseman has shown he is willing to be aggressive to fill holes as they present themself. Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson is the clear best center prospect in this class, and instead of waiting to see if he makes it to them at pick 22, they use their extra picks in the next two drafts to grab Kelce's successor."
The 6-foot-3, 328-pound Oregon product is regarded as the best center in this year's draft class and showed off his explosiveness and strength last week at the combine.
He finished the pre-draft event with a 32-inch vertical, which tied for 15th among all offensive linemen and an 8-foot-8 broad jump, best for 37th out of 50.
He also ranked 18th in the bench press category where he performed 30 reps of 225 pounds.
While at Oregon, Powers-Johnson didn't earn the starting center role until 2023.
Before that, he took reps at right guard, left guard and left tackle. He even provided emergency depth on the defensive line.
As the Ducks' full-time center last fall, Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Trophy — given to the best center in college football.
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