Top Draft Prospect Jackson Powers-Johnson Praises Dolphins and Mike McDaniel: ‘I’d Be Honored to Play for Him…

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson has emerged as a highly sought-after prospect, particularly for the Miami Dolphins. The standout lineman recently expressed his admiration for head coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins organization, fueling speculation that he could be a dream draft target for Miami. His comments have not gone unnoticed, as they reflect both his enthusiasm for the team and his potential fit within McDaniel’s offensive system.

Jackson Powers-Johnson: A Dominant Force in College Football

Jackson Powers-Johnson has built an impressive résumé as one of the top interior offensive linemen in this year’s draft class. At Oregon, he demonstrated versatility by playing multiple positions along the offensive line before cementing himself as the team’s starting center. His dominance in the trenches helped him earn AP first-team All-America honors, a testament to his technical skills, strength, and leadership.

What makes Powers-Johnson such an intriguing prospect is his combination of power and agility. At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, he possesses the ideal frame for an NFL center. His ability to move fluidly in space and execute complex blocking schemes has made him a top-tier option for teams seeking an elite interior lineman.

Powers-Johnson’s High Praise for the Dolphins

During a recent interview, Powers-Johnson spoke glowingly about the Miami Dolphins, showing a deep respect for the team’s leadership. His comments extended beyond the typical pleasantries exchanged during pre-draft evaluations, indicating a genuine admiration for the Dolphins’ direction under head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier.

“Amazing team, amazing GM, amazing coach,” Powers-Johnson said. “And even though he is young, he’s an amazing coach and I’d be honored to play for him and play for that amazing GM and amazing offensive line coach.”

His remarks about McDaniel are particularly noteworthy. Despite being one of the younger head coaches in the league, McDaniel has quickly established himself as one of the brightest offensive minds in football. His innovative play-calling, emphasis on speed, and ability to maximize player talent have transformed the Dolphins into an explosive offensive unit.

Why Powers-Johnson Is an Ideal Fit for Miami

One of the primary reasons Powers-Johnson has emerged as a dream draft target for Miami is his compatibility with McDaniel’s offensive system. The Dolphins rely heavily on an outside-zone running scheme, which requires linemen to be agile, disciplined, and technically sound. Powers-Johnson’s skill set makes him an excellent candidate to thrive in this scheme.

He has experience executing outside-zone concepts at Oregon, and he feels confident in his ability to excel in that type of system.

“I feel like I have great outside zone,” Powers-Johnson said, reinforcing the notion that he would fit seamlessly into the Dolphins’ offensive approach.

The Dolphins are also facing uncertainty along their interior offensive line, with key players potentially leaving in free agency. Adding a high-level talent like Powers-Johnson would provide much-needed stability and long-term security at the center position.

The Importance of a Strong Offensive Line

If there’s one area where the Dolphins need to improve, it’s their offensive line. Although the unit has made strides in recent years, injuries and inconsistencies have at times hindered the team’s ability to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and establish a dominant run game.

A high-level center like Powers-Johnson could be the missing piece. His intelligence, toughness, and ability to call out protections would allow Tagovailoa to operate more efficiently in the pocket. Additionally, his blocking prowess would help elevate the Dolphins’ running game, which McDaniel has been working to enhance since taking over as head coach.

Could the Dolphins Land Powers-Johnson in the Draft?

The biggest question is whether Miami will have the opportunity to draft Powers-Johnson. The Dolphins currently do not hold a first-round pick, making it more challenging to land a top-tier prospect like him. However, the team could explore options such as trading up if they believe Powers-Johnson is the perfect fit for their offensive line.

Miami’s front office has shown a willingness to be aggressive in acquiring talent, and if they view Powers-Johnson as a cornerstone piece, they may make a move to secure him. Given his admiration for the team, the feeling could be mutual.

Final Thoughts

Jackson Powers-Johnson has all the traits of a future NFL star, and his skill set aligns perfectly with what the Dolphins need along their offensive line. His praise for Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins organization only adds intrigue to the possibility of Miami making a push to draft him.

As the draft process unfolds, it will be fascinating to see if the Dolphins pursue Powers-Johnson and whether he ultimately gets the chance to suit up in Miami. If he does, he could become a vital piece in the Dolphins’ quest for long-term success on offense.