Here is why the Bears Might Favor Peter Skoronski for Their Offensive Line

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Vince Carbonneau
April 22, 2023 (10:20 PM)

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As the Chicago Bears prepare to make their pick at No. 9 in the 2023 NFL Draft, it's highly likely that general manager Ryan Poles will focus on filling the pressing need for a top-tier offensive tackle.

This year's class has four outstanding tackles: Paris Johnson Jr., Broderick Jones, Darnell Wright, and Peter Skoronski.

As Braxton Jones, the Southern Utah alum, continues to develop during his rookie season, the Bears will likely allow him a full NFL offseason to build strength and refine his skills, especially against the bull rush. Although Poles intends to bring in "competition" to challenge Jones, the No. 9 overall pick should ideally be a Day 1 starter.

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Considering this, the Bears may prioritize selecting a right tackle in Round 1.

Of the four prospects, Wright and Skoronski are the most suitable for the right tackle role. Wright had an impressive final season at Tennessee, allowing only eight pressures and no sacks. His 6-foot-5, 333-pound frame successfully neutralized elite players like Alabama's Will Anderson and LSU's B.J. Ojulari, both of whom are projected to be top-40 picks.

However, Poles might be more inclined towards Skoronski due to his potential versatility. In a conversation with ESPN's Courtney Cronin, Bradon Thorn of Trench Warfare made an interesting comparison:

"You could potentially have a really special guard, or you could have a solid to maybe above average tackle," Thorn said. "I compared him to [Kansas City Chiefs guard] Joe Thuney. He played left tackle at NC State and he was really good, but the shorter arms thing is part of it. Just an ability to anchor against certain body types off the edge, Skoronski struggled with that a little bit. Thuney definitely did. And then you move him [Thuney] inside and you've got a total [elite player] in there that you don't have to worry about. That's kind of how I see Skoronski."

Ultimately, the Bears will have to decide between Skoronski and Wright at No. 9. NFL Media draft expert Daniel Jeremiah sees the value in either choice:

"I think if you are just saying as a pure tackle, [Wright's] tape is really, really good," Jeremiah said Thursday on a conference call with NFL media members. "And playing on the right side this year, everybody has talked about the fact that he took a big leap in this year, but it's hard to find guys that are 330 pounds that move like him and are as strong as he is at right tackle. I think he is plug-and-play. I think he is ready to go.

"I have a higher grade on Skoronski. I think Skoronski can play tackle. I think Skoronski can be a good tackle, but I think Skoronski can be an unbelievable guard. My order there would be Skoronski and then Wright, but I have in my final ranking I have Paris Johnson, Darnell Wright, Broderick Jones. They're literally 16, 17, 18 on my list. I'm a little higher on Skoronski, but I think all four of those guys are going to be starters. I think if you had to play a game tomorrow and know you were going to line up and play tackle, I think Darnell Wright might be your best option as a right tackle"

As seen at: Analyst Reveals Key Detail On Why Bears May Prefer Peter Skoronski

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22 AVRIL \| 255 ANSWERS Here is why the Bears Might Favor Peter Skoronski for Their Offensive Line Should the Bears pick Peter Skoronski with the 9th pick?
Yes	127	49.8 %
No	128	50.2 %
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