The Tennessee Titans appear to have thrown in the towel on the Andre Dillard at left tackle experiment after benching him in favor of fellow offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere in Week 6.
When asked about the position on Tuesday, head coach Mike Vrabel said NPF would be working with the starters at left tackle in practice this week and Dillard is moving to a swing (or backup) role.
“Nick will be out there today with the 1s,” Vrabel said, per Jim Wyatt of the team’s official website. “Andre needs to prepare as the starter and be ready to play both sides, and when he gets another opportunity, take advantage of it.”
Petit-Frere, who was suspended for the first four games of the season, made his 2023 debut in Week 6 when he came in the game for Dillard.
However, he definitely had his issues, with NPF giving up the same amount of pressures (four) and one more sack (two) than Dillard totaled in eight less snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
But it’s important to remember this was Petit-Frere’s very first action in his second year and it came at a position he hasn’t played at in the NFL yet, so he should get a longer look.
The thought all along has been that 2023 first-round pick and left guard Peter Skoronski, who was a great left tackle in college, would get a shot at some point.
Unfortunately, Vrabel put a damper on that idea and made it sound like Skoronski will stay at left guard for the long haul. Hopefully that changes should things go south with Petit-Frere.
“He’s going to be a left guard,” Vrabel said of Skoronski, per Paul Kuharsky. “We think that’s going to be a really, really good position for him.”
The Titans would be doing themselves a disservice to not at least take a look at Skoronski at left tackle if NPF doesn’t pan out. After all, the rookie could very well be a long-term solution at one of the most important positions on offense, which would make Tennessee’s potential rebuild at least a bit easier.
It’s understandable to be hesitant about switching a young player’s position and risking it not working out and having to move him back, but I think Skoronski is good enough and mature enough to handle that.
As far as Dillard is concerned, he now becomes a top cut candidate for the Titans in 2024, barring an epic turnaround. For now, he’ll be lurking in the shadows hoping for another opportunity, either at left or right tackle, something I don’t see happening unless injuries occur.
