Should the Chicago Bears draft Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski?
By Todd Welter
The case for drafting Peter Skoronski.
Almost every draft expert agrees Skoronski at the very least is going to be a good offensive lineman.
Peter Skoronski is the real deal👏@NUFBFamily pic.twitter.com/6q47TqstNO
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 6, 2023
According to Pro Football Focus, Skoronski had the highest pass-blocking grade in the country last year. He was one of the few bright spots for a lowly 2022 Wildcats team. He gave up just one sack and allowed six pressures.
That is pretty good for an offensive lineman battling Big Ten pass rushers.
Skoronski possesses great technique and hand placement for an offensive lineman. It is like playing on the offensive line is in his genes. Wait, it is. He is the grandson of Green Bay Packers legend Peter Skoronski.
So you will have to excuse him for his relationship with the Packers.
He possesses ideal size for an offensive tackle at 6’4″ and 313 pounds. He can move people in the run game.
While there is agreement that he will be a good starter in the NFL, there is a conflict at what position he should play at in the NFL.
Spent last night rewatching top 2023 draft prospects, and I'm even more convinced Peter Skoronski will be a star in the NFL.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) November 13, 2022
Debate whether he's a guard or tackle. No OL in this draft is as refined and in control of his movements as he is. He's a guy I want the #Bears targeting.
The case against drafting Peter Skoronski.
His arm length is the biggest concern. Skoronski’s arms measure just above 32 inches. Ideally, an offensive tackle’s arms should measure 34 inches or more.
A lot of scouts believe that in spite of his shorter arm length, he has the skill to make a Pro Bowl someday at guard.
There are some out there that still think Skoronski can be an elite NFL tackle. Plus, there are always exceptions to the rule.
The Chicago Bears could always use help along the interior as Whitehair is over 30.
Can someone explain to me why it’s so important that draft analysts defend Peter Skoronski’s ability to play Tackle? Why does it matter?
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) March 28, 2023
If Skoronski is a better Guard than Tackle, he’ll end up at Guard. In an NFL that values guards more than ever, that’s not even an issue!
The problem for the Bears is they desperately need to come away with a starter at tackle in this draft. They need a right tackle or someone who can play left tackle so Braxton Jones can move over to right. There are not a lot of great options left on the free-agent market so hitting in the draft is critical.
Skoronski has a couple of peers in the NFL Draft that project to be starting offensive tackles. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson and Georgia’s Broderick Jones are two prospects the Bears could take at nine and slide to the top of the depth chart.
Also, Skoronski might not be an ideal fit at tackle in the Bears blocking scheme.
Of the Top Offensive Tackles in the draft only the Ohio State duo of Paris Johnson & Dawand Jones played most there snaps in Outside Zone. The others (Broderick Jones, Darnell Wright, Peter Skoronski, Anton Harrison) in a Gap scheme.
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) April 5, 2023
He does have enough athleticism to be a fit in the blocking scheme, but it might be at guard. Again, the Chicago Bears can get by at guard this season.