The Las Vegas Raiders need an injection of talent along the offensive line this offseason. Possessing the seventh overall pick, general manager David Ziegler and Co. would be wise to look at Northwestern University’s Peter Skoronski. He has been mocked to the Silver and Black by many prominent NFL Draft analysts, but is he a fit?
2023 NFL Draft: Peter Skoronski’s Background
The Wildcats landed the 4-star prospect from Illinois’ Maine South high school in 2019. The nation’s fourth-rated center prospect chose Northwestern over offers from schools such as Notre Dame, Michigan, and Penn State. Peter Skoronski started 33 games over his three-year career and earned All-Big 10 Honors each year – including his first year.
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— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 15, 2020
So, what sets the 6-foot-4 315-pounder from the rest of the crop in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Peter Skoronski’s Versatility
When you watch Skoronski play, you will quickly realize that he possesses above-average mental processing.
Peep your eyes on #77 from Northwestern, Peter Skoronski
— 🎇 New Year New Damski 🎆 (@Damski32) December 25, 2021
Due to this, he can play any position along the offensive line, something that any team will covet. Not only can he play every position, but he can play many of them well. This past season, as a junior, he anchored head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s line at left tackle. On the season, he allowed six quarterback pressures and just one sack.
Peter Skoronski Possesses Top Tier OL Qualities.
While there are bigger and more athletically gifted offensive linemen, you will be hard-pressed to find one with better technique. Peter Skoronski possesses precision footwork and strong hands that assist him in taking on any defender. In addition, he also bears above-average play strength that helps him finish off plays with a message.
LT Peter Skoronski #77 set the tone on the first play of the game. His hand strength and finish are outstanding in the run game and pass pro. https://t.co/Nj77OrJ0Q7 pic.twitter.com/wxTU4fLfod
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 1, 2022
Overall, there are few cracks in the top 23′ offensive lineman prospect.
Weaknesses and is he a Fit for the Raiders?
A concern with Skoronski’s game has nothing to do with what he does on the football field. Instead, it has to do with the length of his arms. For years, evaluators and scouts have debated on what exactly is the correct size for someone to play offensive tackle at the NFL level. For Skoronski, that will be the subject until he hits the ground running as a rookie.
Arm length will push Peter Skoronski inside to G/C for several NFL teams. But the tape shows a blocker with the talent to potentially overcome his lack of length at LT.
A dozen NFL prospect outliers who might be the exceptions: https://t.co/Ak3grlcuui pic.twitter.com/9JFjjhCDm4
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 28, 2022
In addition, the NFL Combine will show just how much athletic ability he has or does not have. He possesses average athletic ability, but a solid outing in Indianapolis would solidify his chances of becoming a top-10 overall selection. For the Raiders, a player of his caliber would be an outstanding addition to the roster. However, taking a potential center/guard in the top 10 when the quarterback position is up in the air could be less than ideal.
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*Top photo by Northwestern University Athletic Department
