Raiders’ slimmed-down center feels ‘faster, stronger’ entering 2nd season
Jackson Powers-Johnson doesn’t need to be reminded about how bad the Raiders’ running game was last year.
Nor is the team’s second-year center hiding from the cold, hard truth of the matter.
“We’ve seen the stats,” said Powers-Johnson, a 2024 second-round pick, after the team’s organized team activity Wednesday. “We’re the worst rushing team in the NFL.”
The Raiders ranked last in rushing yards per game (79.8) and yards per carry (3.6) last season. That played a huge role in their 4-13 record, which led to the firings of coach Antonio Pierce and most of the offensive staff.
Any chance of improvement under coach Pete Carroll includes running the ball better.
“And that’s been impressed on us every single day,” Powers-Johnson said.
Adding running back Ashton Jeanty, who the Raiders selected sixth overall in April’s draft, will help. But things start on the offensive line.
Powers-Johnson’s group is embracing that challenge.
“We’re taking a lot of pride in that,” he said.
That’s why the 22-year-old isn’t ignoring how bad things got last year. The former Oregon standout believes turning things around begins with he and his fellow offensive linemen acknowledging the problem and learning from it.
“I see it as an opportunity,” Powers-Johnson said. “An opportunity to get those numbers up, and put a lot of the responsibility on the offensive line.”
Solidifying the OL
The Raiders are still figuring out who their best five offensive linemen are.
Powers-Johnson feels set at center after playing some guard as a rookie. Left tackle Kolton Miller and right tackle DJ Glaze, a 2024 third-round pick, are two other likely starters.
That leaves Dylan Parham, Alex Cappa, Jordan Meredith and rookie third-round pick Caleb Rogers to battle for the two guard spots.
Powers-Johnson is enjoying the fact he can focus on one position this offseason. He’s also healthy, a key change from last year when he missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury.
“I never really had a real offseason at center. I was always playing five or six different positions,” Powers-Johnson said. “So being able to really hone in on one has been awesome.”
Powers-Johnson sticking at one spot has allowed him to gel with his fellow offensive linemen. That’s important given the whole group is learning a new offense under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
“Getting the playbook down and getting continuity, and just really being on the same page,” Powers-Johnson said. “Right now, you can treat every rep as a Super Bowl rep, and you can try and mock that, but you also got to be sure to know that everyone knows what they’re going to do. That’s what the offseason is for, and that’s what OTAs are for.”
Blocking for Jeanty
Powers-Johnson, in preparation for the year, lost 15 pounds this offseason because Kelly’s blocking scheme requires a high level of athleticism.
Powers-Johnson already said he feels “faster, stronger.”
He’s excited to open up holes for Jeanty, the former Boise State standout that finished runner-up for the Heisman Trophy last year. Powers-Johnson gave his new running back a bear hug the first time they met.
“He’s awesome. He’s been doing so good,” Powers-Johnson said. “All the hype is real and I’m super excited to block for him.”
Don’t be surprised if the two go viral a few times if Powers-Johnson clears the way for some Jeanty touchdowns.
“Maybe get some celebrations,” Powers-Johnson said. “He’s a great TikTok dancer, so maybe get my hips loosened up a little bit.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.
