Titans Rookie Offensive Lineman Preparing To Play A Key Role This Season

While Peter Skoronski gets most of the press regarding rookie linemen for the Tennessee Titans, his fellow rookie is preparing for a critical role of a different kind this season.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - Perter Skoronski isn't the only rookie draft pick preparing for a critical role among the Tennessee Titans offensive line in 2023. 

While Skoronksi will be a starter at left guard, fellow rookie draft pick Jaelyn Duncan appears to be the front-runner to fill the role of the swing tackle for the Titans this season. 

For anyone unfamiliar with that position, the offensive tackle will be the primary backup to both the left and right tackle in case of injury to the starter.     

Listed at a massive 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Duncan is a work in progress like most players entering the NFL. Still, with his size, power, quickness, and excellent footwork, the former Maryland product played left tackle for the Terps throughout his career in College Park. 

So far, Duncan has been up to the task during the recent team practice sessions, but he knows he's got work to do to continue to improve. 

"It's going good. We're out here working and trying to get better day-by-day and continuing to do what I'm supposed to do and keep learning," said Duncan following a minicamp practice. "I've gotten into the playbook pretty good. Every night, I'm going to continue to do the same things. You can never know too much, so I'm continuing to get in the playbook, continuing to read and trying to learn every little detail."

Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was candid in his appraisal of Duncan. 

"He's got great size, of course, and he's athletic for a man that size," said Kelly. "Like a lot of guys on this roster, he's got to keep working to learn what he needs to know and to continue to improve his technique and conditioning, but we really like where he is and what he's doing right now.  

While Duncan is still a work in progress as a rookie developing his game, he will need to continue to push himself in the upcoming training camp and the early weeks of the season to hopefully be ready if his number is called to step into the lineup on game day.   

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