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One Las Vegas Raiders' youngster was named a breakout candidate by Pro Football Focus.
The Las Vegas Raiders may have found their long-term anchor in the middle of the offensive line. Pro Football Focus (PFF) named second-year center Jackson Powers-Johnson as a breakout offensive linemen candidate for the 2025 season, and with good reason.
“Powers-Johnson’s grading profile was better last season when he played center. His pass blocking, generally considered his ace in the hole, was significantly better when he played center. His 5.2% pressure rate allowed at guard is a relatively average mark… but 2.4% pressure rate allowed at center was the sixth-best rate among centers with at least 200 reps last season,” wrote PFF’s Dalton Wasserman.
Now, with moving to center full time, Powers-Johnson could become more than just a breakout candidate, and the story of how he moved to center shows just how badly he wanted to prove himself at the position he loves to play.
During an appearance on The Rush with Maxx Crosby, Powers-Johnson recounted a pivotal moment in his rookie season that showed exactly the kind of edge and leadership he brings to the table. In Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, starting center Andre James went down with an injury. The Raiders’ coaching staff was frantically searching for someone to replace him, and Powers-Johnson was pissed.
“The first time we played the Chiefs, Andre ended up going down, and they were gonna put someone else in at center who hadn’t gotten snaps all week at it,” Powers-Johnson said. “And I was just, I was irate, I was pissed.”
As confusion unfolded, Powers-Johnson took matters into his own hands.
“So they’re trying to find someone to start the snap to Gardner (Minshew) at the time, and I’m like, nah, nah, (expletive) this,” Powers-Johnson went on. “So I went up to AP and was like ‘Coach, respectfully, I’m going to play (expletive) center. I won the Rimington. I can do this, and I don’t care what you say. I’m going to play center.”
From then on, Powers-Johnson was the starting center for the Raiders. PFF went on to highlight Powers-Johnson’s impressive season in 2023 when he won the Rimington as the nation’s best center, where his 84.5 overall PFF grade led all qualified centers that season. And now with James heading to the Los Angeles Chargers, it looks like Powers-Johnson won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
Jackson Powers Johnson tells the unheard story of how he became the #Raiders starting center 🤯
“The first time we played the #Chiefs Andre (James) had gone down I went up to AP and was like Coach “Respectfully I’m going to play F**ing Center I won the Remington I can do this”
GettyLas Vegas Raiders’ offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson is projected to have a huge sophomore season as the team’s starting center.
Center is one of the most mentally demanding roles in football, requiring not only physical strength and technique but also the ability to diagnose defenses, make pre-snap calls, and lead the line. It’s clear that Powers-Johnson not only embraces those responsibilities, he demands them.
The Raiders’ offensive line has quietly developed into one of the more underrated units in the NFL, and Powers-Johnson could be the catalyst that takes it to another level. His pass-blocking is already considered his calling card, but his physicality and mobility make him a versatile weapon in both zone and power run schemes.
There’s also a leadership component that shouldn’t be overlooked. For a player just entering his second year, Powers-Johnson already carries himself like a veteran. His fiery demeanor and willingness to speak up in the heat of battle suggest he will become a core piece of the Raiders’ identity moving forward.
Don’t be surprised if, by the end of next season, he’s not only the Raiders’ best offensive lineman but also one of the top centers in the NFL.
-1750995966-q80.webp "Raiders’ “Fiery” Youngster Named Breakout Candidate")
Getty One Las Vegas Raiders' youngster was named a breakout candidate by Pro Football Focus. The Las Vegas Raiders may have found their long-term anchor in the middle of the offensive line. Pro Football Focus (PFF) named second-year center Jackson Powers-Johnson as a breakout offensive linemen candidate for ...
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