Before he was taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, many considered Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Perter Skoronski to be the best offensive lineman in the 2023 draft class.
Despite starting over 30 games at left tackle for Northwestern, the Titans bumped Skoronski inside to start at left guard as a rookie.
Skoronski's rookie campaign was filled with ups and downs, but the 22-year-old offensive lineman is set up for success in 2024. Here are three reasons why Titans fans should expect big things from Skoronski this season.
1. Weight Gain
Let us not forget that many of Skoronski's rookie year struggles came on the heels of an appendectomy that sidelined him for three games and led to significant weight loss. Even after returning fully healthy, Skoronski was lighter than usual and working overtime to regain his strength.
Some of Skoronski's biggest struggles came against the Indianapolis Colts in his first game back and the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers just a few weeks later.
But heading into 2024, Skoronski is ready to roll. He's in great shape, fully healthy, and better off than he was physically as a rookie.
"He's put in some really good work. I think he looks great physically. He looks like he's supposed to look," said Titans head coach Brian Callahan of the former first round draft pick. "I think, he probably got a little bit lighter because of the appendectomy, I think he had. It probably contributed to some of that. But, he looks like what guards are supposed to look like. He's put a lot of really good work in. I'm pleased with his progress."
2. Bill Callahan
Skoronski is a ridiculously talented young offensive lineman. Giving a player with his ceiling an offensive line coach like Bill Callahan is a recipe for success. If anyone knows how to coach up young talent to reach their full potential, it's Callahan, and Skoronski is already seeing a difference in his coaching on the practice field.
"He has been intense. He'll get on us and we grind out there, but I've enjoyed it," said Skoronski about working with Callahan during OTAs this summer. "There's an intensity to it and a way he wants things done. Everyone is kind of adjusting to that. His results speak for themselves, so I think we're all bought in on it too."
The second-year offensive lineman added that he was forewarned about Callahan's coaching style "in a good way" by some of the NFL veterans he trains with. It's no secret that Callahan's reputation often precedes him.
Titans fans can take comfort in knowing that Skoronski (and the rest of the offensive line) will be taught all the right things. That can only help his development in year two.
3. Supporting Cast
Outside of all the physical and technical improvements I'm expecting to see from Skoronski in 2024, I'm also expecting his job to be a bit easier than it was as a rookie.
The Titans have bolstered the offensive line around Skoronski, using another first round draft choice on left tackle JC Latham and spending $50 million on free agent center Lloyd Cushenberry. That left side of the line is looking more stable than ever at the moment.
"You have a veteran center, which always helps to be able to get things lined up the way you need them. You got three really pretty powerful people on the same side, and so that makes some of those combinations easier," said Titans head coach Brian Callahan on the left side of Tennessee's offensive line.
"It's easier to move people when you've got strength on strength on both sides. So, I think [Skoronski] stands to benefit from the power that those guys have. And then, from the the savviness and veterans that Lloyd's (Cushenberry) got. They will all benefit from playing with each other, I think, on both sides. Both JC and Peter, with Lloyd on that left side," added Callahan.
