Steelers Absolutely Need To Explore Trading Down In The 2024 NFL Draft If Star Center Jackson Powers-Johnson Is Their Target

The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty to consider as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches at the end of April in Detroit, Michigan. The center position is one of the most pressing team needs after Mason Cole was a major liability with inconsistent snaps and poor blocking this season. University of Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson is considered by some draft experts to be the best pure center in the class. The Steelers have the 20th overall pick in the first round and could take him with that pick, but as teams have put less of a premium on drafting players at the position, the team might want to consider dropping a few spots and adding some extra draft capital. 

Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, argued on his weekly YouTube show with Adam Bittner, that General Manager Omar Khan needs to be strongly considering a trade-down if Powers-Johnson is indeed the organization's favorite first-round target. Khan has shown a willingness to make deals in the past, including at the 2023 NFL Draft when the team moved up to get offensive tackle Broderick Jones. 

"I might think about moving back if that’s who I’m going to draft," Zeise explained. "See, if you can get an extra pick out of it, move back to 26 or 27, something like that, because I think he’ll [Powers-Johnson] still be there. Then you’ve added another pick and you can address your other issues." 

Powers-Johnson impressed many with his performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin got a good chance to have a look at him up close in person. With the Steelers hiring Arthur Smith and doubling down on the philosophy of being a tough running football team, adding a center who can control the middle of the field is incredibly important. 

Pittsburgh as a franchise has had tremendous success when they've found a leader in the middle of their offensive line. Mike Webster joined the Steelers as a 23-year-old after the team took him in the fifth round of the 1974 draft. He left the team for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989 after establishing himself as a Hall of Famer in Pittsburgh. 

Dermontti Dawson shifted from guard to center after Webster's departure and built his own Hall of Fame career after he was drafted by the team in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. Dawson made six consecutive First Team All-Pros from 1993 to 1998. 

It took a little while, but in 2010, Pittsburgh found its next star middleman. Maurkice Pouncey was drafted by the team with the 17th overall pick and blossomed into a star. In his 10-year career, he missed the Pro Bowl only once in the 2013 season when he tore his ACL and MCL in the team's season opener. 

Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time AP Second-Team All-Pro. He was taken in the first round with the 20th overall pick in 2018. More recently, the Baltimore Ravens took Tyler Linderbaum in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he made the Pro Bowl in his second season. The Steelers are looking to repeat similar success.

Steelers Could Address Other Pressing Needs With More Draft Capital 

If Khan and company do some sniffing around the trade market and don't find a willing partner, they could still be very happy taking Powers-Johnson with the 20th overall pick. However, Pittsburgh still has other needs to address at tackle, cornerback, defensive line, linebacker, and even safety. 

Khan and company proved that they could find talent later in the draft in 2023, coming away with Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig in later rounds. While the team will try to plug some of the holes on the roster in free agency, adding more fresh young players that the organization can mold themselves is important. 

Do you think Pittsburgh should consider a move down in the draft? Comment below!

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