Steelers' Starting Center In 2024 Could Quickly Become Maurkice Pouncey 2.0

Fans and the media alike are going to attempt to speculate who the Pittsburgh Steelers starting center will be in 2024 after the late-February release of Mason Cole. It was clear that there needed to be an upgrade at the position after Cole couldn't figure out how to do his most important job: snap the ball. There are a plethora of free agents that are expected to be available in mid-March, but the draft class is extremely talented. It wouldn't be a surprise for General Manager Omar Khan to add to the position multiple times throughout the offseason.

There is a clear-cut number one center who will be available in the 2024 NFL Draft. While there are several prospects to keep an eye on, the Steelers may have shown their cards when it comes to their goals for the first round with the release of Cole. Only one time in the franchise's history was a center selected in round one. Maurkice Pouncey was a beloved Steeler for 10 years on the field and 11 total prior to his retirement (missed the 2015 season).

In an attempt to replace Pouncey, Pittsburgh drafted Kendrick Green in 2021 and after that one-year experiment failed, brought in Cole to try and right the ship. Both were complete busts in the Steelers' offense and neither remains on the roster as the organization begins its search for the future at the position. A first-round prospect should absolutely be on the mind of Khan and the front office as a whole.

Jackson Powers-Johnson is coming out of the University of Oregon and has all the right tools to bloom into a star. His draft stock skyrocketed after an impressive Senior Bowl and now he is being looked at as a potential home run of a prospect. It's hard to imagine him sitting there at 20th overall and Pittsburgh not submitting their draft card immediately.

There is hopefully a new, but familiar era of Steelers' offense coming to town. Arthur Smith was hired as the offensive coordinator and the focus is likely to be on an under-center rushing attack with play-action mixed it often. Pittsburgh has two lineman that can be counted on in Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones, but the most important position of the group is the center.

Jones will hopefully move to his natural spot on the left side making up for a dominant duo of him and Seumalo. Adding a potential All-Pro center would solidify an incredible left side. The question at right tackle would remain, but Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren would be all over attacking holes on the left side if Powers-Johnson joins the mix.

Pittsburgh was spoiled with Pouncey's Hall of Fame career. The gap that was left when he hung up his cleats has had massive implications since. The Steelers have issues throughout the roster, but an offensive leader at center is pivotal. It would be a tragic mistake not to take Powers-Johnson if he is available. It might be uncharacteristic with Pouncey as the only former first-rounder at the position for the organization, but it is essential to have a center who can bloom into a star.

Steelers Need Decade-Long Center Beginning In 2024

Powers-Johnson wouldn't just be a good pick, he'd be a safe and sure one. He is a freak athlete and is listed as being the same height as Pouncey. He has an extremely high football IQ and will have no problem jumping in to start right away. He showed leadership ability at Oregon and has the traits to be a dominant center in the NFL for a long time. He needs to be at the very top of the Steelers' draft board from now until late April.

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