NFL Draft: Buccaneers Secure Member of Offensive Line 'Best Five' in First Round

A name commonly seen in the upper half of the first round, a new mock NFL Draft has offensive tackle Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

David Harrison | Apr 3, 2023

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It's pretty clear from a majority standpoint that everyone thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will - and even should - try to address their offensive tackle need in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Damian Parson of The Draft Network held true to that belief in his latest first-round mock as well, sending Northwestern Wildcats offensive tackle Peter Skoronski to the Bucs.

"Baker Mayfield versus Kyle Trask is the mid-off of NFL quarterbacks," says Parson. The best way to ensure this is not a disaster is to build up the offensive line. Tristan Wirfs stays at right tackle while Peter Skoronski gives it a shot at left tackle. Skoronski has the quickness and technical refinement to become a reliable OT. His arm length is the reason he will be forced inside at guard if it happens. Either way, he would be a part of the best-five OL for the Buccaneers' offense."

The best-five approach isn't something we've seen as much of, as most draft analysts send a true tackle - right or left - to Tampa Bay with this pick.

Here, we see a player with clear talent and upside added to the group, with the possibility of a move to any one of four spots on the board.

While fans of the team won't likely appreciate the lack of knowing where the team's first-round pick will play in his rookie season, they should appreciate that the coaching staff will now have flexibility in assignment with six more rounds to come.

The next true tackle off the board in Parson's draft was Ohio State Buckeyes right tackle Dawand Jones whose stock isn't high enough to warrant a selection at No. 19.

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Published Apr 3, 2023

DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.