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2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

Northwestern Hyping Peter Skoronski as Better Than Slater

Updated Aug. 16, 2022
By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.

A few years ago, Northwestern produced a first-round left tackle in Rashawn Slater, and he turned in a strong rookie season for the Los Angeles Chargers as the blind-side protector for Justin Herbert. Sources with NFL teams that have traveled through Evansville during Wildcats training camp this year say the program's staff is hyping up offensive tackle Peter Skoronski as a better player than Slater. NFL evaluators are skeptical of that, however, with some of them believing Skoronski won't be able to fit at tackle as a pro.

"[Skoronski's] athletic, moves well, and is smooth," said an AFC Director of player personnel. "He has very short arms, like 32 inches - he plays with better length than he has - but he doesn't have a tackle body and looks more like a guard. Some guys I have spoke with compare him to Jonah Williams and some others have said Jonah Jackson."

Williams has managed to stay at offensive tackle with the Bengals in the NFL, where he is protecting Joe Burrow. Jonah Jackson earned his way to the Pro Bowl last year with a big jump in play under Dan Campbell's Lions coaching staff.

NFL team sources say Skoronski looks heavier and stronger in fall camp than he did in 2021. They say that adding a little power could help him to get some movement and not be as finesse. They note that like Slater, Skoronski can bend and move.

The debate about Skoronski staying at tackle or moving to guard will probably extend through the 2023 NFL Draft until his pro team decides where to start him out. While teams are not sold on Skoronski being as good as Slater, the Northwestern staff is hyping Skoronski as better than Slater to scouts coming through Evanston.

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