Steelers address glaring need in latest mock draft

Outside of landing QB Russell Wilson, the Steelers have been pretty quiet thus far during the free agency "tampering" period, which began on Monday. As a result, they have missed out on filling a glaring need with some of the top available free agents.

However, fans shouldn't worry. USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz believes Pittsburgh will address the position with its first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Middlehurst-Schwartz has the Steelers landing Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson at pick No. 20 in his latest mock draft.

"The Russell Wilson signing allows Pittsburgh to refocus its offseason on matters more in line with the Steelers' typically priorities," Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. "Powers-Johnson can help the offense get back to its rugged roots, as the Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American relishes tossing opponents out of his way."

Pittsburgh was already expected to upgrade the center position this offseason, but that became even more apparent after the team released Mason Cole, who was rated as one of the worst centers in the NFL, in February.

If Jackson-Powers is the Steelers' answer, he would be a massive upgrade. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound center was named a first-team All-American after allowing just one pressure on 471 pass-blocking opportunities in 2023.

Head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers brass have not been shy in their interest in Power-Johnson. Tomlin was reportedly paying close attention to him at the Reese's Senior Bowl and will likely be at Oregon's Pro Day on Tuesday to get a closer look at him.

The last time Pittsburgh used a first-round pick on a center was in 2010 (Maurkice Pouncey). It's safe to say things turned out quite well as he was one of the best centers in the league for over a decade. 

Powers-Johnson may just turn out to be the Steelers' next great center. Middlehurst-Schwartz seems to think so.