Offensive lineman Peter Skoronski was considered one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL draft with a number of teams interviewing him because one head coach was particularly hard on him
It seems like every year during the NFL draft, strange stories come out about what teams asked of players in the pre-draft process.
Sometimes teams are accused of going too far – there have been reports of some teams asking about players’ sexuality, their parents or simply asking them to give seemingly irrelevant personal information.
While no such reports of eyebrow-raising questions have surfaced this year, a recent story came out about offensive lineman Peter Skoronski being told by a team that he was “boring.”
The former Northwestern offensive lineman held a number of interviews with teams as he was one of the most touted prospects in the class.
One of those teams that spoke with Skoronski was the Atlanta Falcons, with head coach Arhtur Smith openly unimpressed with him in somewhat blunt terms.
Speaking to The Athletic, Skoronski said: “The head coach was after me the second I walked in there.
“I was giving them generic answers to their questions and he said, ‘You’re really boring me right now.’ Your answers are so boring.”
“Throughout the meeting, he kept looking at his computer. I kind of laughed at myself and said, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you want me to do. I am answering you honestly.”
Smith was with the Tennessee Titans for nine years under Mike Vrabel — who Skoronski said he enjoyed talking to.
With the eighth pick in the draft, the Falcons had the chance to select Skoronski, but passed on Bijan Robinson instead. Three picks later, Skoronski was selected by the Titans.
It was a draft pick many expected the Titans to use on quarterback Will Lewis, who they were rumored to be interested in trading up for a top-five pick.
And despite falling to them at 11, the Titans passed, with the quarterback shockingly falling to the second round, where the team traded up to finally get their quarterback.