This summer, the Las Vegas Raiders need to replace one more void along their offensive line, and draft prospect Peter Skoronski may be the answer.
Dylan Parham was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the first overall choice in the 2022 NFL Draft, despite the fact that they did not have draft money until Day 2. Parham was selected by the Raiders in the third round as the No. 90 overall choice in April of last year, and he showed throughout his rookie season that he is going to be a long-term starter at offensive guard.
Jermaine Eluemunor’s free agency left additional voids in the offensive line for Las Vegas heading into the summer, and there was speculation as to whether or not they would release Andre James to free up some much-needed budget money. Eluemunor eventually came back in free agency, and James was retained, leaving just one offensive guard position open for the remainder of the summer.
While bringing back Alex Bars was a great depth move, the Silver and Black may want to consider taking Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski in the 2023 NFL Draft instead. Skoronski’s stature prevents him from playing tackle at the next level, but he has potential in the inside.
While Skoronski might play tackle at the next level, according to one draft analyst, Bradley Locker from Behind the Steel Curtain, he could be a star player lining up in the interior of the offensive line. Skoronski would give the Silver and Black their greatest line-up in a long time, joining Eluemunor, James, Kolton Miller, and Parham.
Raiders could want to prioritize defense in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Despite sending Darren Waller to the New York Giants, Las Vegas still has five picks in the first 109 picks. With their offense being so strong, particularly if they sign Josh Jacobs to a long-term contract extension, the team’s top goal heading into the 2023 NFL Draft may be defense.
Priority positions include cornerback, linebacker, defensive lineman, and perhaps safety. Recently, we looked into two excellent cornerback prospects they may target with the seventh overall choice. Given that he didn’t have a first- or second-round pick last year and essentially just acquired Parham, this year might make or break David Ziegler’s term as general manager.
Skoronski is currently not a top-10 prospect, so if the Raiders were to choose him on Day 1, it would probably be in a trade-back scenario. I would argue it is a solid start for one of the largest drafts in recent franchise memory if they can trade down, acquire more selections, and still choose an offensive guard who can start on Day 1 in the first round.
