After Jackson Powers-Johnson’s junior season, the center decided that the time was now to enter the NFL Draft. Although centers tend to be not as valued as other positions, drafting a good center would give head coaches peace of mind in the middle of the offensive line. After a stellar 2023 season, Powers-Johnson took home some hardware by winning the Rimington Trophy for being the nation’s best center and was named to the First-Team PAC-12 All-Conference team and was First-Team All-American.

Coming in at 6′-3″ and 328 lbs., Powers-Johnson showed some power at the NFL Combine. He had 30 bench press reps and had a broad jump of 8′-8″. Powers-Johnson had a 6.36 Prospect Grade and was ranked as the second-best center at the NFL Combine with an 85 Next Gen Stat Total Score.

Most experts have him ranked as the top center in the draft. Even though Powers-Johnson mainly played center in his three seasons at Oregon, he does have experience playing guard. With the Raiders drafting him with the 44th pick, his above-average pass-blocking skills will allow him to start early and give Gardner Minshew time to sling it around. Powers-Johnson should also be able to protect the quarterback against pass-rushers that shoot up the gap.