Bucs Brought In Jackson Powers-Johnson
April 13th, 2024
Visited One Buc Palace.
The loud crowd will need a private moment upon learning this.
Yes, Joe knows that for the loud crowd, Robert Hainsey represents the root of all evil. Every damn thing that goes wrong with the Bucs, and for that matter, western society, can be pinned on starting center Hainsey. So he must go, in these folks’ eyes.
As a result, the same congregation has been stomping their feet — they are well-versed in this action — demanding Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht draft this Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon at center. At No. 26 no less!
Well, one of the prayers for this gang has come true. Powers-Johnson (why does Joe keep wanting to type “Powers Boothe?”) was one of the Bucs’ 30 official visits this week, per Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.
Powers-Johnson is a big dude, an old school center known for being a bully in the run game and a capable blocker in pass protection. He is largely regarded as one of the best centers in the draft.
Here is Dane Brugler’s breakdown in his “The Beast” draft guide.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Oregon, Powers-Johnson emerged as a standout center this past season in offensive coordinator Will Stein’s zone -read, balanced attack. After filling in at guard his first two seasons, he won the starting center job in 2023 and became the fifth unanimous All-American in school history and first Pac-12 player to win the Rimington Award as the nation’s top center. A multi-sport athlete growing up, Powers-Johnson plays light on his feet in pass protection and as a run blocker,with the natural movement skills and stability at contact to torque and fend off defenders. With his contact balance and comp osure, he rarely appears overwhelmed on tape, although the defensive line play in the NFL is a giant leap ahead of what he saw in the Pac -12. Overall, Powers-Johnson’s inexperience is reflected in his technique, but he offers a fantastic combination of size, athleticism and toughness, with the skill set that translates to both center and guard. His game reminds me of Ryan Kelly, who won the Rimington Award at Alabama before becoming a first-round pick in 2016.
Brugler has Powers-Johnson as his No. 2 center.
“This Joe” maintains a policy of never drafting a center in the first round. The average draft position of the top-paid centers is late in the third round. That’s the sweet spot to pick a center.
Why won’t Joe ever draft a center in the first round? Joe has never in his life seen a center make a play when you need a touchdown late in the game or have to go 80 yards.
First-round picks are for players who can change games or offensive tackles.
So no, Joe would not draft Powers-Johnson in the first round. Nothing against Powers-Johnson. It’s just business. Smart business.
Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson (#58) made four career starts prior to his Junior Year in 2023. One start at RG in 2022 (was part of rotation) and then one start at RG, one at LG, and one at Nose Tackle (Yes, DL) as a Freshman in 2021. None at Center.
He became the first Pac-12… pic.twitter.com/4fUE2d6B6C
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) April 6, 2024
April 13th, 2024 at 12:08 am
Your philosopy/justification is wrong Joe. I’ve never seen a RB do anything without strong blocking. I’ve never seen a QB make a pass completion when laying on his back either
April 13th, 2024 at 12:25 am
So melodramatic Joe.
Hainsey isn’t the hated scapegoat for everything wrong in the world, he’s just clearly the weakest point on the o-line at center. It’s weird how you can complain so much about the run game but not want to upgrade your subpar center…
April 13th, 2024 at 12:28 am
I agree for draft slot, but disagree that a center can’t change a game. If a center can shut down disruptive DTs like Chris Jones or Aaron Donald, those are the game winning plays
April 13th, 2024 at 12:34 am
Yes, draft JPJ at 26 and the Bucs will have mauler for the next 10 years. 328 lbs ! Nobody is going to push this big boy around.
April 13th, 2024 at 12:38 am
If they draft this guy I’m gonna be pissed. His technique sucks, his hand placement sucks, his feet suck, and his pad level in pass pro sucks.
He’s a project.
April 13th, 2024 at 12:42 am
A center may not make the game changing play, but having a dominant o-line makes the running game go to open up those hug plays and keeps the QB off his ass. While I understand the value of playmakers in round 1, I think winning the battle up front a high proportion of the time is the difference between winning and losing.
April 13th, 2024 at 12:42 am
You haven’t watched enough football.
April 13th, 2024 at 1:02 am
I guess it depends who is still left on the board. Would I take JPJ over someone I KNEW would be a good pass rusher? No, but the pass rushers that’ll probably be left have flaws (Chop: little production, Darius: a tweener). Would I take a WR over JPJ in the 1st? Maybe. I like Zach Frazier of West Virginia in a later round.
April 13th, 2024 at 1:21 am
Hey jpj, if you are skimming through Buc sites looking for feedback on your visit, don’t let this article paint the picture. “This Joe” has a fetish for his Hainsey Wainsey and hyperbole. A first round pick on someone that won’t be giving out QB lapdances snd can help get the running game out of dead last is what we need from you. See you at pick 20
April 13th, 2024 at 2:18 am
We’re not going Center (shhhhh)
If Dejean isnt there then trade down.
And this NT Tvondre Sweat guy has my attention if he’s there in the third.
April 13th, 2024 at 2:24 am
Licht used a 2nd round pick last year on a Guard. A freakin’ Guard!?
Now we are here talking about using a 1st round pick on a Center? Give me a break. Everyone wants their team to dominate the LOS. But a GM cannot be throwing around their most valuable draft picks on positions that he should be able to fill w/ less draft capital. I’m as big of a fan of JL as anyone. But squandering top picks on positions that he should be able to fill later in the draft is irresponsible.
April 13th, 2024 at 2:34 am
Liking this CB Kalen King in the 4th too.
April 13th, 2024 at 2:45 am
Alternate draft (mine, just in case guys are gone)
Trade down to upper 2nd, get an extra late 2nd or 3rd
Rush Braswell
C Frazier
NT Sweat
ILB Trotter jr
RB Estime
CB Kalen King
April 13th, 2024 at 3:14 am
Why can’t it just be that we see the talent that JPJ is and that he serves as a massive upgrade over our current starter at a very important position. I don’t think anyone personally hates Hainsey or wishes him ill. He just happens to be a weak point that we can upgrade. Why the constant hyperbole?
April 13th, 2024 at 4:41 am
No to Jackson. He also has a history of concussions, groin/hip issues, and inexperience. He has only started one season. Other teams have cooled on him since the Columbine.
April 13th, 2024 at 4:41 am
Troller Joe here to get us all posting about how wrong he is about his absurd opinions. Yes that’s plural. Troller Joe has some wild nonsense takes and this one is about as asinine as his opinion to not move Wirfs to the wide open LT spot. Troller Joe, you were wrong then and you are wrong now. Did you see this guy open the peterbilt truck sized hole he created in the video you posted to this article? We have the skill guys, we NEED the big dudes to give our skill guys the space to make the plays, does that make sense?
Why not draft a center and move Bob to the open LG spot. Sounds like an ultimate upgrade to our offensive line. If JPJ is there, he will be the best player available. I hope Licht picks this dude just to burn your britches
April 13th, 2024 at 4:42 am
^
April 13th, 2024 at 4:52 am
Barry Sanders couldnt get yards behind our line.
Got it absolutely backwards..
Behind a great line- any back looks good.
No back can get yardage, when hes getting hit in the backfield.
And I was watching the Bucs in the ole Sombrero- before most of you were born.
M track record here speaks for itself.
Capt. Tim knows his football
April 13th, 2024 at 5:04 am
dejean is going to be sitting there at 26 because he’s not going to get drafted until round 2 lol…
we just might get crazy and draft the “white unicorner” at 26
April 13th, 2024 at 5:05 am
at this point the draft can’t come soon enough…
#StartingToGetCrazy
#BringOnTheDraftAlready
April 13th, 2024 at 5:07 am
jerry jones will draft cooper blojean 🙂
April 13th, 2024 at 6:08 am
Joe you type more misinformation than the lame stream media that is covering the election… absolutely shameful
April 13th, 2024 at 6:09 am
Games are still won in the trenches. Last game I watched our Center was still working in the trenches and he’s not very good.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:17 am
Having a great offensive line will either improve the current “difference makers” or set up the future draft pick and free agent “difference makers” for success.
Every great looking house must have a solid foundation.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:28 am
Those QB’s RB’s or skill guys have no chance to make plays if your line play isn’t giving them a chance
Flawed logic Joey
April 13th, 2024 at 6:34 am
When your #1 receiver is 31, and has to come out of the game after every catch, or drop. When your #2 receiver only has one year left on his deal, is 28, and had an ACL. When your #3 receiver is a 6th roumd pick, has a lot of drops, and fumbles. When your new OC runs 11 personal, 3 receivers 90% of the time. Maybe drafting a receiver at #26 isn’t such a bad idea. Adoni Mitchell, or Thomas Jr. Skill position players, game changers, touchdown makers. Score more points, win more games.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:39 am
The media hypes these players up who knows what the teams actually see on tape. Funny how they latch on to these guys with cool names and give them superstar status before they are even drafted. Plus Licht looks for hidden gems not hyped lineman.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:43 am
MadMax Says:
April 13th, 2024 at 2:34 am
Liking this CB Kalen King in the 4th too.
^^^^^^^^
The only coach that would’ve wanted a 5-11 CB who runs a 4.61 is Mike Smith, and he got fired years ago. King looks to be an 8th Rounder.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:50 am
My vote is for JPJ or Barton if they are sure he can play Center. No Guard in the first round, Center is our big problem. Not many great Edge guys this year, and none of them will be available at 20-26 range. So we take a flyer on a position of need project guy (how’d that work out with JTS & Hall?), or we take a guy that’s best or second best at his position (which is also a position of need for us). Seems pretty simple to me. Plus these Edge guys are so arrogant, probably hold out after year four if he’s any good. A good Center or Tackle could be here for 10 years. Other option is WR, but I think they’re too confident in some of our in house guys to spend a first on a WR this year (unless a special guy falls or they are gonna trade Godwin to move up and get a special guy). I just don’t think Licht is gonna sign off on a CB, even if Kool-Aid falls.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:54 am
‘Joe knows that for the loud crowd, Robert Hainsey represents the root of all evil. “This Joe” maintains a policy of never drafting a center in the first round. First-round picks are for players who can change games or offensive tackles.’
Joe is trolling again. And again. And again.
April 13th, 2024 at 6:57 am
No thanks, if there aren’t any playmakers trade down
April 13th, 2024 at 7:02 am
JPJ is the pick if available , or DeJean if JPJ is not there.
April 13th, 2024 at 7:15 am
I’m sure the Bengals would have liked a better center/guard on their last drive in the Super Bowl against the Rams. It may have prevented Donald from blowing up the play.
April 13th, 2024 at 7:17 am
I would think that, just as valuable as a game-changing player would be a player who can prevent other teams’ game-changing players from changing the game. So, isn’t that also a game-changing player?
April 13th, 2024 at 7:18 am
Whomever the 1st pick is, they need to come in and play GREAT!
April 13th, 2024 at 7:21 am
@Joe… so if you know that you could land a Ryan Jensen in the first round, would you? And solidify that position for at least the next 5 years?
I agree with everyone on here that clarified their comments on Hainsey, most of us don’t hate him, but after two seasons starting, I think we need to do better, and although we can find a lineman in the mid-rounds, I disagree that they are so plentiful that we gamble on that position with a late draft pick. It’s the lucky teams that land guys like Jensen in the 6th round. Not to mention, it took time for Jensen to make his mark in the league. A first round grade on a center certainly improves the chances of this guy being good from day one, similar to Wirfs.
And I disagree with that last pod where Steve said we know who White is at this point after 2 seasons. Really? He split carries in his first season with Fournette behind a line that pretty much sealed the deal for Brady’s career, and although we’re in a 17 game season, we’re bitching about guy that was 10 yards short of a thousand yard rushing season, not to mention everything he did in the passing game. I still say we haven’t see this guys ceiling and despite the other Joe saying there were TONS of holes for this guy to run through, evidentially Fournette missed those holes in 2022 as well and that was with the GOAT calling adjustments at the line. White looked much better in the second half of last season which would make sense given it was new offense, with new lineman and it was his first full year of starting. Fact is the line needs to be better overall.
April 13th, 2024 at 7:22 am
‘Barry Sanders couldn’t get yards behind our offensive line’.
I’ll take that bet.
And Earl campbell would excell behind our offensive line.
So would walter peyton
And jim brown too!
So there!
April 13th, 2024 at 7:32 am
JPJ would be awesome because Hainsey could go back to his natural position at LG.
April 13th, 2024 at 7:34 am
Isn’t the tush push based around a dominant center? I have seen that as a pretty dominate play. You might want to look again. Go BUCS
April 13th, 2024 at 7:36 am
I’m starting to think there is a great chance our first pick is a WR. If Mike or Chris goes down who do we have? You can get a starting OL in the 2nd and 3rd round.
April 13th, 2024 at 8:15 am
This draft is loaded with receivers, and O lineman. A receiver who normally would be a top 10 pick in any other draft could very well be on the board at 26. A IOL can be had in the 3rd round who might be a 2nd round talent. Would love to see a Adoni Mitchell, or Thomas Jr be the pick at 26. Get out to leads, score more points. That will help our defense more then any edge you can get at 26.
April 13th, 2024 at 8:20 am
Esteban85 should post more often.
April 13th, 2024 at 8:28 am
Jackson Powers-Johnson is definitely worthy of the 26 spot. People would be upset if we didn’t draft a DE at this spot but will soon forget their anger when JPJ makes the Jackson Powers-Johnson Pro Bowl the next 10 years.
April 13th, 2024 at 8:41 am
The running game was weak when JENSON was still at center. Perhaps the play calling may be a bit of an issue!!!!
April 13th, 2024 at 9:31 am
Unless Nostradamus posts here sometime soon, I think I’ll wait until the actual draft happens to decide what player the Bucs should take (and whether they should trade up or move down). Anyone who thinks they know who will be available is just fooling themself right now.
April 13th, 2024 at 10:02 am
Wash
Rinse
Regurgitate
*Que the coordinated foot stomping
🙄
April 13th, 2024 at 10:26 am
I don’t agree with Joe, centers’ big plays are when they prevent game changing sacks and fumbles. Centers typically play every offensive snap whereas Bowles platoons his edge guys so they don’t play every snap. Centers can have very long careers so even late round drafted centers can eventually develop into very good players. Typically one center is drafted in rd1:
average number of centers drafted over last 6 years:
RD1 0.8
RD2 1.7
RD3 1.2
RD4 0.7
RD5 0.8
RD6 1.2
RD7 1.3
Since I’m playing GM, I’d move ahead of Jerry Jones (!) to pick JPJ or Barton, or stay pat to pick Latu, or move down to top of rd 2 to pick Zach Frazier. I’m not in favor of it, but Licht could pick a very good OT at 26, move Goedeke back to G, then go C or edge in rd2.
April 13th, 2024 at 11:46 am
If we are planning to trade our best WR, Chris Godwin, and Dallas is looking at JTS, needs a WR and wants to trade Michca Parsons seems like a no brainier.
Give Dallas what they want in draft choices in addition to CG and JTS.
This along with bringing in Gregory would solidify the entire defense.
We must keep CG until June which is after the draft, so we would be giving Dallas 2025 picks.
What am saying is we could then use what is needed this year to get JPJ, which would put us as a front runner in the NFC. Additionally, Cade Warner would need to come back because we need someone that catches the ball.
Finally, Laird and Tucker are better true runners than White. We need to let some of our existing talent have their chance Tucker has world class speed just like Palmer.
You can’t trade someone that is slow to be fast.
April 13th, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Joe, it would take me to long to comment on everything you said so I will just summarize by saying you are completely and utterly wrong about everything you said. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
April 13th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Very happy you do not call the shots at Bucs HQ
April 13th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Gracias for that ChuckD
April 13th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
I would definitely take this guy at #26. Then give Hainsey a chance at his natural position which is guard. Bowles defense is so inconsistent, the Bucs must put points on the board. That cannot happen with another year of IOL play like they had last year.
April 13th, 2024 at 1:09 pm
Every game is won or lost in the trenches. How a center, who is the glue of the line and completely changes the dynamic of the entire interior blocking, is not considered a game changer is beyond me.
R White was probably hit in the backfield when he got the handoff 1out of every 3 times he carried. It was disgusting.
They need to draft this kid. He is a pro bowler.
If he isn’t there, my second choice is edge rusher Verse out of FSU
if neither one are there…
What the hell do I know?
April 13th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
For the record, I like Hainsey. Great to have him as a back up center and guard, maybe he can get a starting shot at a guard position. But at center -we saw him and I don’t care what the statistics say, I watched it with my own eyes, he was atrocious at run blocking and average at pass blocking.
April 13th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Joe said:
Maybe.
But in the first 58 minutes, a strong IOL, especially the Center, gets the team in an offensive position for the fancy pants to make that big play.
Times 16+ games.
The best fancy pants with a crap IOL likely won’t be in a position to make that last-ditch play in the first place. Again, times 16+.
Ask Mahomes how well his IOL played in thr SB vs. Bucs.
April 13th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Besides, I suspect the C/G’s drafted in R1 have a far better non-bust rate than fancy pants do.
April 13th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Ok Joein mich, a 7th then….yeah i had a few too many last night….did a little more research and he doesnt have long arms either. Maybe i found us an undrafted prospect….see im good for something here and there.
April 13th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Kind of need a clean or close to clean pocket if you got to matriculate the ball down the field in the final series or run the clock out
April 13th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
The guys who told you Johnny Manziel just N-E-E-D-E-D to be a Buc want you to know they know a thing or two about who to draft in the first round.
April 13th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
JPJ in the 1st round and we will have a top 5 running game, and a rested defense.
April 13th, 2024 at 3:59 pm
Hainsey spent more time in the Bucs backfield than White.
Weak.
April 13th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
trading up to 19, 18, or 17….thy will be done
April 13th, 2024 at 5:17 pm
There is plenty of O-line talent available this draft, so I agree with Joe that we don’t NEED JPJ in first round. But I suspect we’ll be trading back to high 2nd round, as most of what’s left at the end of R1 looks meh at best or totally wrong positions. Unless an edge falls, drop back, and get more talent in rounds 2-4.
April 13th, 2024 at 10:46 pm
You don’t want Center in late round 1 because they don’t score? You’re fine taking a Tackle tho. Tell me the last time a Tackle led the league in TDs.
If you have a short QB that can be agile in the pocket and nothing special at Guard, Center is more important than Tackle. Every game impacting sack was quick through the middle as Baker hit his drop.
And do you want an elite Center or the 7th best Edge in an awful draft for Edge?
April 14th, 2024 at 12:13 am
“Why won’t Joe ever draft a center in the first round? Joe has never in his life seen a center make a play when you need a touchdown late in the game or have to go 80 yards.”
—
At this point repeating this utter nonsense again I am thinking you just want us all to lose respect for any football acumen we thought you had.
We have ALL SEEN teams win games on rushing TDs where the oline, and YES the center in particular, moves a defender back or away so a back can score a winning TD.
There is not a running back in the league that every game does not make MULTIPLE positive yard plays because of great blocks . You are straight up showing you don’t undrstand the runnign game at the college or the NFl level.
April 14th, 2024 at 12:25 am
I’d take Barton and consider I robbed a bank if He is available at #26 . I like Powers but there’s a question or two more than Barton
April 14th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Late third round, like Hainsey? I’ll pass on that, get me a line that can move bodies so my Bucs can run the ball for at least 4yrds a carry, and don’t have to worry about having Mayfield try to save the day.
April 14th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
I want Barton over JPJ, but both will be Day 1 starters at center which is the Bucs offenses biggest weakness on offense.
I really love Georgia’s three year starter, two time national champion center in Van Pran. He produced year after year in the SEC against college football’s toughest competition.
Fix the interior and you fix the Bucs offense.
Baker took the Lions, who are a Super Bowl contending team (and are my favorite to go to the Super Bowl next year), to the limit with a horrible run game and atrocious pass protection from his interior offensive line.
If Baker has a running game and good pass protection from his IOL, then the Bucs are now a Super Bowl contending team in my opinion.
ME13 and CG12, one a future Hall of Fame WR and the other a Pro Bowl receiver couldn’t fix the horrible pass protection from our LG and our C, then what rookie impact player position in this draft can?
An unproven skill position player in this year’s draft that is a supposedly an impact position player as a rookie is nowhere near as talented as ME13 and CG12, and neither of them could take the pressure off of Baker from Stinnie/Feller and Hainsey‘s horrible interior line play as they gave up the booty up the A-Gap.
We know from this site that the Interior Offensive Line has zero impact on the game, especially on game winning drives, right?
Except for when Aaron Donald dominates a horrible interior offensive line of the Bengals on a must score or you lose drive for the Bengals in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl.
Third and short at midfield with less than a minute to go in the game and the Bengals need to kick a field goal to tie the game and send the Super Bowl to overtime.
Aaron Donald dominates the interior offensive line of the Bengals and stuffs Mixon for no gain.
Then it’s 4th and 1, and Aaron Donald dominated the interior offensive line for the Bengals for the last time as he hit and took Joe Burrows to the ground as he threw an incomplete pass to the ground to end the game and give the Super Bowl to the Rams.
SMH. 🤦♂️
Interior Offensive Line Lives Matter and they impact game winning drives.