Soon after the Tennessee Titans took Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski in the 2023 NFL draft, experts began weighing in on the pick via grades.
In fact, our own Shaun Calderon was among them, giving the Titans an A, which is the highest grade on our scale (we don’t use +/- to keep things simple). Here’s what he had to say:
The Northwestern product is a true technician along the offensive line. Now, the real question is: where exactly does he line up in Week 1?
Due to his sub-33-inch arms, he may be better suited physically for the interior, but if there was anybody who deserves the benefit of the doubt that he can be an anomaly along the blindside, it’s Peter Skoronski.
No, he doesn’t have the ideal arm length you would prefer, but he knows how to compensate for it with fantastic hand usage, explosive athleticism and a cerebral approach to the position that will give him a chance against anybody.
The Titans just got a pillar along the offensive line, and his impact should be felt rather quickly.
Now, a look at how various other experts graded the Titans’ pick of Skoronski, along with what they had to say about it. In all, the Titans received overwhelming support for their first-round selection.
Robert Zeglinski, For the Win: B+
If not for his shorter arms — can just more than 32 inches really be short? — we would’ve been talking about Skoronski as a “generational” plug-and-play anchor. A tackle in college, Skoronski will instead likely shift to featuring as a bowling ball guard for the Titans in the interior of their offensive line. Which, to be clear: is an excellent idea!
As the game continues to move forward with dominant interior pass rushers, players like Skoronski — with polish, pedigree and power — present a stellar counter. I will be shocked if this Northwestern Wildcat isn’t a household name amongst offensive line nerds by the middle of this decade. — RZ
Gavino Borquez, Draft Wire: B+
Tennessee was in consideration to take a quarterback. Instead, they fill an immediate need, as their pass protection was leaky last season. Skoronski’s shorter arm length means he might kick inside to guard at the next level. But I believe he has the skill set as both a pass-protector and a run-blocker to stay outside.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire: A-
One does wonder whether Skoronski will be able to play tackle in the NFL, but at worst, he has everything it takes to be a Pro Bowl guard, and Zack Martin — who I compared him to — went 16th overall in the 2014 draft. So, this isn’t too far off. Skoronski is more of a high-floor player than a guy with a ridiculous ceiling, but the Titans so desperately need high floors on an offensive line in need of upheaval.
Barry Werner, The List Wire: B+
The Titans need a quarterback — Malik Willis doesn’t seem to be the answer and Ryan Tannehill is nearing the end of the line. So, what do they do? Grab a stud offensive lineman from Northwestern. The Wildcats are starting to get a big rep for these big guys. Remember, Taylor Lewan is gone.
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: B
The Titans needed to upgrade their offensive line after releasing left tackle Taylor Lewan and losing guard Nate Davis in free agency. With his first pick as Tennessee’s general manager, Ran Carthon addressed the need with Skoronski, who can play tackle but also projects as an elite guard. A two-time first-team Big Ten selection, he should slot in as an immediate starter with upside at multiple spots.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B
The Titans need a ton of help on their offensive line. Skoronski is a physical, tough guy who will help up front. He’s a Mike Vrabel type of player. He played tackle in college, but I think he might end up as an All-Pro guard.
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: A+
I swear, I’m not a pushover with the grading, I just like the picks this year! Skoronski was the fifth-ranked player on the board this year and the Titans have a MASSIVE need all over their offensive line and Skoronski can legitimately play all five positions at a high level.
Pro Football Focus: Elite
The big question is whether Skoronski will play tackle or guard at the next level. He played tackle in 2022, though, and had a tremendous season. As Northwestern’s starting left tackle this past season, he allowed just six total pressures on 474 pass-blocking snaps.
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: A
Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski is the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft class. As good as he is, where he’ll play remains a mystery. Skoronski started three seasons at left tackle for the Wildcats after Rashawn Slater opted out of the 2020 COVID-19 year. The incoming prospect immediately became one of the nation’s top blockers as a true freshman. But Skoronski doesn’t meet certain thresholds for the position when it comes to how some teams evaluate it.
At 6’4″ with 32¼-inch arms, Skoronski almost reaches outlier status for an offensive tackle. In fact, his height, arm length and wingspan are all among the bottom 10 percent for the position, according to Mockdraftable. Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department grades Skoronski as its No. 1 blocker but lists him as an interior lineman. Can he play and potentially thrive at offensive tackle? Absolutely. He graded as the best pass-protecting tackle in the nation last season, per Pro Football Focus. Even so, some teams almost certainly projected him as a guard during the evaluation process because of his relative lack of length and All-Pro potential at the position.
The Tennessee Titans have so many concerns along the offensive line that Skoronski could literally play anywhere, and he’s capable of doing so.
Last season, the unit finished dead last among Pro Football Focus’ offensive line rankings. Tennessee did bring in Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill to fill two spots, though those are questionable signings at best, particularly Dillard after being a first-round bust for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Skoronski can immediately take over the blind side. But Tennesse did sign Dillard to a three-year, $29 million free-agent contract. He’ll likely get the first shot at left tackle with Skoronski bookending Brunskill at guard.
Even at guard, Skoronski brings All-Pro potential. Considering how the Titans love to play bully ball, they desperately needed the bodies up front to accomplish that approach. Skoronski just happened to be the class’ top-ranked offensive line prospect.
Chet Gresham, DraftKings: A-
Skoronski is a solid pick here. He isn’t an exciting pick and will probably end up being a guard, but his upside at guard is tremendous. I expect him to be a top-tier player, but for a team without a quarterback!
Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network: A
The Titans’ most pressing need comes on the offensive line. They’ll eventually need to find their QB of the future, but their QB for the present is already on the roster. From Andre Dillard on the left side to Nicholas Petit-Frere on the right, there isn’t a single spot on the offensive line that couldn’t be improved upon by the addition of Peter Skoronski.
Maybe he’ll be a Day 1 starter on the left side. Maybe he’ll move to the right side. Or maybe Skoronski’s lack of anatomical length will force him inside, where he’ll likely be a Pro Bowl-caliber blocker. Skoronski is as physical as he is technically sound.
Walter Football: A+
Paris Johnson is the best tackle in this class, but it could be argued that Peter Skoronski is the No. 1 offensive lineman. He was docked for his short arms, but he’s going to be an elite guard for Tennessee over the next decade. The Titans desperately needed blocking help after losing three offensive linemen this offseason, and Skoronski will provide a huge boost.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A
The Titans passed on a quarterback early to address another big need after moving on from long-time Taylor Lewan. They get an explosive athlete who’s a natural for pass protection but also sound with his feet in run blocking to help their offense well all-around.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A
Analysis: Tennessee needed to get stronger along the interior O-line after seeing multiple veterans depart this offseason. Skoronski can play left tackle, too, if free-agent addition Andre Dillard isn’t the answer. I figured throughout the draft process that the Titans would have interest in the former Wildcat, whose strength at the point of attack and nimble feet in space will help make sure the run game is as prolific as ever.
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