2023 Raiders NFL Draft: Offensive Tackles – Pick Or Pass?
Broderick Jones, NFL Draft, Raiders
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The price of offensive tackles remains among the highest in the sport, and with the possibility that the Las Vegas Raiders miss out on the top tier of defensive difference-makers and quarterbacks, their attention may need to turn to offensive tackle. In this year’s draft, there are three prospects generally considered first-round caliber players, although depending on where you look you’ll see them listed in a different order. The three I’m talking about are…

Peter Skoronski, NFL Draft, Raiders
Oct 22, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) prepares to block against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Peter Skoronski, LT, Northwestern

Skoronski was the Wildcats’ replacement at left tackle when Rashawn Slater opted out of the 2020 season — a spot he held down until declaring for the draft himself. In three seasons, he played 33 games — never missing a start — and played well, earning recognition as the Big Ten’s best offensive lineman last season.

Paris Johnson Jr, NFL Draft, Raiders
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) blocks Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Jordan Williams (59) during the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.
College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl

Paris Johnson Jr., LT, Ohio State

Speaking of Big Ten tackles, Johnson was the other first-team All-Big Ten selection last season. Unlike Skoronski, however, Johnson played just one season at left tackle — playing right guard as a sophomore and as a reserve as a freshman.

Broderick Jones, NFL Draft, Raiders
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Broderick Jones, LT, Georgia

Moving to the SEC, Jones was the blind side protector for the national champs last season (he was also the starting left tackle for the final four games in 2021 as well). Jones is believed to be more of a project than the other two names listed, but the potential here has some folks putting him at the top of this list.

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The first thing that jumps out here is Skoronski’s arm length — one of the most important measurements for tackle prospects. There’s a reason some folks have him third on this list and as a guard prospect at the next level, and that’s why. If you look at how the Patriots have evaluated tackles historically (since, you know, the Raiders are trying to replicate everything New England does), they tend to opt for big, long tackles — meaning Skoronski’s arms might be a deal-breaker.

Johnson, on the other hand, has absolutely massive arms (36.125″) — but like Jones is believed to be more “raw” than a plug-and-play, sure-fire difference maker on day one.

Broderick Jones, NFL Draft, Raiders
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

VERDICT: PICK Jones, PASS on Skoronski and Johnson Jr.

The more I dive into this draft, I feel like the Raiders are one slot outside of the sweet spot. There are four quarterbacks you could justify drafting early, plus two absolute studs on the defensive line — but then it gets dicey.

In a normal year, it might be a “pass” on all three guys, but I’m not sure there are a lot better options out there than Broderick Jones if the board falls the way I think it will. Jones has the size you want, the athleticism you want, and when you watch the tape of games like Ohio State, he passes the eye test with flying colors. I wouldn’t be doing cartwheels if he was the No. 7 pick, but I’d get it.

As for Johnson and Skoronski, No. 7 would be too rich in my opinion. Skoronski’s arms terrify me this high, and so he would be a late first-round guy for me — while Johnson looks good on paper, but didn’t blow me away on tape. If the Raiders were to trade back from No. 7 and end up with one of these guys in the late teens, I’d be fine with it — but any higher, and I’d be concerned.