NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah offers assessment of Oregon's Troy Franklin, Jackson Powers-Johnson
With the NFL Combine set to kick off next week, several former Oregon Ducks will have an opportunity to significantly boost their respective stocks.
Receiver Troy Franklin and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, in particular, could cement themselves as first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft if they produce strong showings in Indianapolis.
During a Thursday conference call with reporters, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked for his thoughts on Franklin and Powers-Johnson. He spoke glowingly of both players and noted that the Combine would be crucial for the pair of former UO standouts.
“With Franklin, look, I gave him a good grade. He is my 39th player. I liked him a lot,” Jeremiah said. “I think I’m going to end up coming up on him because I just finished going through all these guys for the combine, and I saw a lot of corners with a lot of blood on their hands courtesy of Franklin. He just runs by everybody. So big-time juice. Tall, lean, explosive. He can beat press with his quickness. He is clean in and out of breaks for a taller guy. It’s fun to watch him really track the ball and go get it. A big-time home run hitter.
“I think he’ll go 20s to 30s. He’s going to go somewhere in there, and I expect he will probably run really fast in Indy.”
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During his junior season, Franklin hauled in 81 receptions and set UO single-season records for receiving yards (1,383) and touchdowns (14).
Powers-Johnson impressed during the Senior Bowl in January. After winning the Rimington Trophy during his final season at UO. He became the Ducks’ fifth-ever unanimous All-Amiercan and led all FBS centers in Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (91.3), run-blocking grade (84.2), and overall grade (83.9). He did not allow a sack in 2023 and allowed just one pressure.
“We look at the center, Jackson Powers-Johnson. It’s hard to find guys that big that can move like that — 334 pounds,” Jeremiah said. “You can’t get through him. He just kind of catches guys and absorbs them. In pass pro he is quick to the second level and good on combo blocks. He has some nasty to him. He is a bulldog. Got some real snap and pop in his hands. He was having a great week until he got nicked up at the Senior Bowl too. I think he’s going to find his way into the bottom portion of the first round. He’s too clean of a player, and it’s just somebody that can anchor your offensive line for the next decade.”
