Here as we approach the NFL draft, it’s pretty easy to find many opinions on what the Dallas Cowboys should do. However, it’s rarer to find advice on what they should not do.
Bleacher Report suggests that Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, a highly-regarded pick, should not be considered by the Cowboys at No. 24 in the first round.
Powers-Johnson, 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, won the Rimington Award for the top center in 2023 and was the first Pac-12 player to receive the honor. He was also a unanimous All-American and a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the best offensive lineman in the country.
Why the caution? Despite Powers-Johnson seeming ideal to replace Tyler Biadasz, who departed for the Commanders, there are concerns.
According to B/R’s Alex Ballentine, in a post titled, “1 Prospect Each Team Must Avoid in 2024 NFL Draft,” the Cowboys are facing multiple urgent needs and must prioritize them. Center is not as crucial as other positions, he explained.
Replacing Tyron Smith is a Bigger Focus
The Cowboys do have a genuine need at center, but the urgency to replace Tyron Smith, the dependable left tackle who also left for the Jets, is greater. Tyler Smith might step in for Tyron Smith at tackle, or could remain at left guard. This would open up a spot for T.J. Bass, Powers-Johnson’s former teammate at Oregon, to take on either left guard or left tackle.
Bass, an undrafted rookie last year, played in all 17 games, including two starts. The decision to draft an offensive lineman with their first pick will depend on their confidence in Bass’s potential as a regular starter.
“The Cowboys also need a guard or tackle. Tyler Smith has shown he can play both positions, so they could place him at either, but losing Tyron Smith means they need two starters on the offensive line,” Ballentine noted.
“Other options who could start at center will be available later in the draft. In our latest mock draft from the scouting department, the Cowboys selectedAmarius Mims in the first round and were able to acquire Zach Frazier in the second round.” Cowboys Require Assistance with Offensive Line
Although the contracts for the team’s star players garner the most attention, the major concern as the Cowboys’ 2024 offseason progresses is the uncertainty surrounding the offensive line. Zack Martin is confirmed as the right guard, but there are many unknowns in the other positions, which have been crucial for the team’s success in recent years.
Right tackle Terence Steele had a tough time last season due to ACL surgery and suffered 14 quarterback hits, the most of any tackle in the NFL. He also gave up eight sacks, tying for the eighth-most. Tyler Smith did well at left guard, but the plan has always been to move him to tackle. However, the Cowboys may not want to risk losing a good guard and gaining an uncertain tackle.
Backup Brock Hoffman might become the center. Bass might play as the left tackle. Both didn't perform very well in their limited playing time last year.The Cowboys have to reconstruct their line. It makes sense to consider Powers-Johnson. However, in line with the B/R warning,NFL.com’s Powers-Johnson scouting report
cautions that he won’t be prepared to play promptly.
“Powers-Johnson is a fierce competitor with a strong-willed attitude but needs to enhance his initial technique to create more consistent block sustains,” the site wrote. “His first season could be challenging if he has to play early, but he should ultimately become a long-term starter.” The Cowboys require assistance on the offensive line, but concentrating on Jackson Power-Johnson at center is not the right approach, according to Bleacher Report. warns that he won’t be ready to play quickly.
“Powers-Johnson is a fierce competitor with a salty disposition but needs to improve his first-phase technique to create more consistent block sustains,” the site wrote. “His rookie season could be bumpy if he has to play early, but he should come out on the other side as a long-time starter.”
