49ers could find answer at a persistent problem area in Senior Bowl standout Jackson Powers-Johnson
The San Francisco 49ers are firmly focused on the upcoming task of attempting to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58, but their personnel staff on hand at the Senior Bowl have reason to be intrigued by a player who could help them fix a persistent issue and maintain their position as the […]
The San Francisco 49ers are firmly focused on the upcoming task of attempting to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58, but their personnel staff on hand at the Senior Bowl have reason to be intrigued by a player who could help them fix a persistent issue and maintain their position as the NFC's powerhouse in the coming years.
While the Niners have a star-studded roster that is the best in the NFL in the eyes of many, it is not without its faults.
One of the most glaring is on the offensive line, specifically the right side. Right tackle Colton McKivitz is a serviceable starting right tackle but is clearly seen as the weak link, while the 49ers have rotated at right guard between Spencer Burford and veteran Jon Feliciano. Feliciano made the starting job his own down the stretch, but he can hardly be viewed as a long-term solution.
But a player who could be viewed as a fix on the interior is Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Powers-Johnson has experience at both center and guard, positional flexibility that would certainly appeal to the 49ers.
He earned All-Pac 12 honours in 2023 in a standout final season for that Ducks, and he has carried that form into the Senior Bowl, impressing significantly across the first two days of practice in Mobile.
In his look at Senior Bowl standouts from day two for the Detroit Lions, A to Z Sports' Mike Payton said Powers-Johnson has "easily been one of then biggest stars of the week so far".
It is a difficult to disagree with that assessment when you see one-on-one reps like this.
Possessing a blend of size and athleticism that makes him an ideal fit for a 49ers run game that still leans heavily on zone runs despite infusing much more gap scheme plays in recent years, Powers-Johnson could immediately slot in at right guard and potentially eventually take over from Jake Brendel at center.
The problem is that, after his outstanding week at the Senior Bowl, he could be off the board by the time pick No. 31/32 comes around.
49ers’ estimated practice report gives clue to George Kittle approach
They’re probably going to play it safe.
