You're not the only one who says that by a long shot. And that's something that is rarely said about anyone but the most highly rated (and high-floor) prospects.
If that statement is reasonably accurate, then yeah you take him at #9 no matter what. Whether as a G or a T, you take him. There is literally no team in the NFL that wouldn't upgrade its OL by acquiring an All-Pro player, no matter what specific position he settles in at.
If that is your assessment, drafting him is a complete no-brainer.
It is but that still doesn't mean it will be Poles rationale for drafting him. If we've learned anything about him so far it's that he will more typically do what isn't expected and that at this point in time he still seems to value getting as many shots off as possible looking to build a younger roster. That alone makes me feel that if he gets an offer he likes he will trade back for lesser known ascending players.
You can find examples of guys with 32-inch arms who were able to overcome that disadvantage at tackle. But why go that route when you can get Paris Johnson who is the prototype at 6-6 with 36-inch arms? If I were looking for a guard, I’d take Skoronski. But we already (supposedly) have that position covered. It’s the same argument you give me for not taking JSN.
It is but that still doesn't mean it will be Poles rationale for drafting him. If we've learned anything about him so far it's that he will more typically do what isn't expected and that at this point in time he still seems to value getting as many shots off as possible looking to build a younger roster. That alone makes me feel that if he gets an offer he likes he will trade back for lesser known ascending players.
You can find examples of guys with 32-inch arms who were able to overcome that disadvantage at tackle. But why go that route when you can get Paris Johnson who is the prototype at 6-6 with 36-inch arms? If I were looking for a guard, I’d take Skoronski. But we already (supposedly) have that position covered. It’s the same argument you give me for not taking JSN.
Skoronski was asked about the "short arm thing" at the Combine. Pull up the clip of his answer -- it was a good one.
I'm not advocating for either player, I like them both. I wouldn't be upset with either.
Yes, PJJ has the prototypical measurements. Skoronski has the better tape and polish. It boils down to how firmly you believe the latter can play tackle.
If you think that's a long shot, you favor PJJ understandably. If you don't think that, then Skor should be higher on your board. Of course, if you are purist straight BPA, Skoronski is the higher rated player.
You can find examples of guys with 32-inch arms who were able to overcome that disadvantage at tackle. But why go that route when you can get Paris Johnson who is the prototype at 6-6 with 36-inch arms? If I were looking for a guard, I’d take Skoronski. But we already (supposedly) have that position covered. It’s the same argument you give me for not taking JSN.
Skoronski was asked about the "short arm thing" at the Combine. Pull up the clip of his answer -- it was a good one.
I'm not advocating for either player, I like them both. I wouldn't be upset with either.
Yes, PJJ has the prototypical measurements. Skoronski has the better tape and polish. It boils down to how firmly you believe the latter can play tackle.
If you think that's a long shot, you favor PJJ understandably. If you don't think that, then Skor should be higher on your board. Of course, if you are purist straight BPA, Skoronski is the higher rated player.
Skoronski is only BPA if you’re looking for a guard. There are few NFL tackles with 32-inch arms for a reason. If you can reach your opponent before he can reach you, that’s an advantage. Skoronski could overcome that at the college level, but why risk it at NFL level when you don’t have to? Just take Johnson at #9 and be done with it.
Lotta truth in this one Bob. If Poles can pull off the right deal and the picks fall his way he could conceivably get both a RT and a DT or DE he like not just one or the other. Draft Weekend could be very interesting.
It is but that still doesn't mean it will be Poles rationale for drafting him. If we've learned anything about him so far it's that he will more typically do what isn't expected and that at this point in time he still seems to value getting as many shots off as possible looking to build a younger roster. That alone makes me feel that if he gets an offer he likes he will trade back for lesser known ascending players.
You can find examples of guys with 32-inch arms who were able to overcome that disadvantage at tackle. But why go that route when you can get Paris Johnson who is the prototype at 6-6 with 36-inch arms? If I were looking for a guard, I’d take Skoronski. But we already (supposedly) have that position covered. It’s the same argument you give me for not taking JSN.
Why? You do it when the guy with shorter arms is the better player and unquestionably Skoronski is the better and more NFL ready player of the two. Stop only reading or watching what the story tellers are selling you David. Their job is to sell whatever products sponsor them via selling you stories that all supposedly come from connections deep inside the "War Room" of your favorite NFL team.
They also lie. That's what story teller/sellers do. One rather famous guy who recently found his tit in a NYC ringer for starters likes to call it "Truthful Hyperbole". It's not. It's no more than self promotion and aggrandizement just as NFL Draft story sellers are trying to sell you on buying their products and their opinions. Most of it is no more accurate than the opinions we develop ourselves and maybe this more so.
It's also not anywhere near the same debate. My position is we don't have a need to spend a top pick on a WR period. Any WR, not just JSN. This OT debate is about whose the better prospect at LT and it's Skoronski hands down. Every top draft analyst has him so. Rashawn Slater, the guy Skoronski replaced at NU is the starting LT for the LAC. His arm length is just 1/2" longer than Skoronski's.
Story selling is just that. It's full of stats and opinions none of which necessarily match up with what NFL Scouts, Personnel Staff, and GMs have learned about a prospect. If you want that kind of info then they'd need to get Ryan Poles on mic telling you exactly what he believed about a prospect, his willingness to draft him and where. He's not gonna do that so what's left? The same educated guesses we make.
You can find examples of guys with 32-inch arms who were able to overcome that disadvantage at tackle. But why go that route when you can get Paris Johnson who is the prototype at 6-6 with 36-inch arms? If I were looking for a guard, I’d take Skoronski. But we already (supposedly) have that position covered. It’s the same argument you give me for not taking JSN.
Skoronski was asked about the "short arm thing" at the Combine. Pull up the clip of his answer -- it was a good one.
I'm not advocating for either player, I like them both. I wouldn't be upset with either.
Yes, PJJ has the prototypical measurements. Skoronski has the better tape and polish. It boils down to how firmly you believe the latter can play tackle.
If you think that's a long shot, you favor PJJ understandably. If you don't think that, then Skor should be higher on your board. Of course, if you are purist straight BPA, Skoronski is the higher rated player.
And in further response to David's question Why? This is the number one reason why.
Not only is Skoronski a higher ranked prospect but he's more than likely able to be a top rated NFL player at any position on an OL including OC. That just one reason why he's ranked as he is and for most GMs that would also be a very good one. His versatility.
This reminds me of our debates from several years ago over Quenton Nelson. There were those who staunchly defended the position that no college OG should ever be a top ten draft pick vs those of us who wanted the Bears to draft him. Of course we never got that chance but uh.....how'd that work out for Indy? They did draft him.
The moral of this story is if a guy is a BPA at a position you need to fill.....draft him.
Found a great Tweet with an interview of Poles by Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper. Worth watching especially when Harper asks him about how contract negotiations are conducted.
The moral of this story is if a guy is a BPA at a position you need to fill.....draft him.
+1 That's what I am so hoping happens here. And whomever Poles believes is that best guy available, hey, I trust his judgement. Could be Skor or one of the other guys. I'll be a mighty happy camper if he grabs one of these guys.