With the addition of Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski in the 2023 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans bolstered their group upfront, which was arguably the league’s worst in 2022.
While the debate rages on about how Skoronski’s short arms will impact where he plays at the next level, there’s a consensus that he should help Tennessee right away, no matter where he ends up.
And that’s something general manager Ran Carthon envisions, also.
“Yes, he is [a player who can help the Titans right away],” Carthon said. “And hence why he goes at 11.”
Despite the Titans’ offensive line situation being fluid at the moment and the last six rounds of the 2023 NFL draft having yet to play out, we’re taking a look at a projection for the starting group.
Left tackle: Andre Dillard
While Dillard will likely have to compete with Skoronski for the left tackle job, the advantage has to go to the former thanks to his experience, but also because Skoronski’s ability to play tackle in the NFL remains a question mark thanks to his short arms.
If Dillard does lose the starting job to Skoronski, he has experience playing guard and right tackle, so he could shift to either of those spots.
Just for the record: I think Skoronski has the ability to overcome his arms and be a very good left tackle. He just simply won’t beat Dillard out in Year 1, although I certainly wouldn’t mind being wrong.
Left guard: Peter Skoronski
After Skoronski loses out to Dillard, the Titans will deploy him at left guard, where he’ll immediately become an asset. There is concern about his ability to play tackle, but the consensus is, at the very least, he’ll be a good guard.
I do believe, however, that the long-term plan is for Skoronski to play at left tackle at some point down the line, thus he’ll be waiting in the wings if the Dillard experiment doesn’t work out for whatever reason.
Some other names to keep an eye on in a competition at left guard include Corey Levin and Jamarco Jones, and Dillon Radunz whenever he returns from his torn ACL.
Also don’t rule out another rookie offensive lineman if the Titans double-dip in the draft. Daniel Brunskill can technically be placed into this group but I think he grabs a different starting spot.
Center: Aaron Brewer
We didn’t like what we saw out of Brewer at left guard in 2022, but the fact that the Titans slapped a $4.3 million tender on the 2020 UDFA strongly suggests he’s in their plans at center now that Ben Jones is gone.
I have plenty of skepticism but my small shred of hope comes from the fact that Brewer might be better at his natural position and without Dennis Daley operating next to him.
Levin is the biggest threat to Brewer in this spot after playing well in place of an injured Jones last season.
Right guard: Daniel Brunskill
Brunskill can play any position upfront, including either guard spot, but has made it clear he’s more comfortable on the right side. As a result, we’re placing the 2023 free-agent signing at right guard.
Of course, there will be competition for that spot, just like there will be at left guard.
We can include Skoronski, but I think he’ll end up on the left side one way or the other. Levin, Jones and Radunz (when healthy) are on this list, also, and we can throw in a rookie if the Titans add an interior lineman in the draft.
Right tackle: Nicholas Petit-Frere
Petit-Frere struggled during his rookie season, but the hope is that he takes a leap in Year 2 and becomes the right tackle the team envisioned when it drafted him in Round 3 of the 2022 NFL draft.
While I have NPF pegged as the favorite, he is by no means locked-in.
Yes, I have Skoronski at left guard in Year 1, but it wouldn’t shock me at all if he overtakes Petit-Frere for his spot in training camp. Dillard is another name to keep an eye on if he loses out at left tackle.
By the way, the Northwestern product has made it clear he can and will play right tackle if needed.
Skoronski: I’ll play anywhere Titans want — tackle, guard or center, even right side.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) April 28, 2023
Other tackles on the roster include Radunz (if we can still consider him that), Andrew Rupcich and John Leglue, all of whom will be long shots.
Projected backups
G/C Corey Levin
G Jamarco Jones
OT Andrew Rupcich
OT John Leglue
G/T Dillon Radunz*
The Titans carried nine offensive linemen on their initial 2022 53-man roster, which would mean one of these five wouldn’t make the cut. However, there’s a good chance Radunz starts the season on the PUP list, which would allow Tennessee to temporarily keep their grasp on all five.
Tennessee appears to be rock-solid in terms of depth on the interior thanks to Levin and Jones, with the former being able to play guard or center, and the latter guard or tackle, although Jones is better suited inside.
But Leglue and Rupcich are total wild cards, which makes them vulnerable. The same can be said for Radunz, who could potentially be anything from a backup at guard or tackle to a 53-man roster cut when healthy.
Tennessee should explore another backup tackle option, especially after we saw the destruction a bad one can do to an offense last season. Perhaps the Titans give themselves that option in the final six rounds of the draft.
