Everyone expects Tennessee Titans sophomore blocker Peter Skoronski to take a sizable step forward this season. Skoronski, who's rookie campaign was temporarily derailed by an emergency appendectomy, reported to organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp looking significantly bulkier.
It's precisely why Pro Football Focus have labeled him one of five offensive linemen they see experiencing breakout campaigns in 2024.
5 offensive linemen positioned to break out this seasonhttps://t.co/CUDR6Fb1tR
— PFF (@PFF) July 2, 2024
"Skoronski's rookie year was only solid at best, but his best game was his season debut before he had an appendectomy and didn’t return until Week 5," PFF's Sam Monson wrote. "That downtime caused him to lose size and strength in-season, and he never really had much opportunity to rebuild it before he was needed again. He essentially had to deal with adjusting to a new level, at a new position, undersized and understrength because of appendicitis.
Year 2 will give us a much fairer indication of what Skoronski can be, even if the team elects not to give him a try at left tackle and keeps him inside at guard."
PFF credited Skoronski with surrendering 32 total pressures from 521 pass-blocking snaps. Skoronski arguably played his best games of the season in Weeks 1 and 18. That was notably either before his appendicitis, or well after, offering him significant recovery time.
The Titans won't be electing to give Skoronski any reps at left tackle. That position will be occupied by first-round selection J.C. Latham, who is moving from right to left after occupying the opposite side for Alabama.
The Titans made major upgrades to the positions to the left and right of Skoronski. The aforementioned Latham should be pronouncedly better at protecting the blindside than Andre Dillard and Jaelyn Duncan were last season.
Free-agent center addition Lloyd Cushenberry is a markedly better fit for Brian Callahan's offense than Aaron Brewer was. Both players should allow Skoronski to focus more on his tasks, and worry less about what's happening around him.
There's also the addition of legendary offensive line coach Bill Callahan to consider. Callahan was impressed with Skoronki's efforts throughout the offseason workout periods. His coaching history of elevating good offensive linemen to elite status should benefit Skoronski this season.
At this point, local and mainstream media outlets alike are expecting Skoronski to enjoy a breakout campaign. His arrow appears to be trending in the appropriate direction. The conditions around Skoronski, both from a coaching staff and teammates perspective, could lead to a noticeable on-field jump in Year Two.