Why one NFL Combine measurement will be so important to the Steelers

The NFL Combine exists for a reason. Teams need to be able to see the best prospects in the nation on a level playing field to help separate the great athletes from the pack. However, sometimes the measurements at the Combine are just as important as the athletic testing numbers. The Pittsburgh Steelers should know this full well.

In 2021, the Steelers opted for Illinois OG Kendrick Green in the third round of the NFL Draft -- a decision that clearly proved to be a mistake. They should have been able to see the signs in front of them as Green measured in at 6'1 7/8'' with a 77'' wingspan at his Pro Day. This made him one of the shortest guards to enter the NFL since 1999, according to Mockdraftable's database.

Pittsburgh can't afford to ignore these types of outliers again, so they need to take each measurement into account. As we prepare for weigh-ins at the 2023 NFL Combine this week, one measurement will be more important to them than anything else this year: Peter Skoronski's arm length.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could realistically target target an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time since 1996. Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl both value the offensive trenches and this team is long overdue for an investment at OT. Additionally, Dan Moore and Chukwuma Okorafor are both replaceable tackles who could certainly stand to be ungraded.

Northwestern's Peter Skoronski is considered one of the best prospects getting ready to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. A blend of traits and flawless technique has helped him dominate at the collegiate level, and an NFL team will be hoping they find their left tackle of the future in him. Add the Steelers to the list of teams that will likely be interested.

In addition to having a need at OT, Skoronski fits the bill as a Big Ten underclassman with experience, good tape, and a physical demeanor. With high-upside tackles like Parris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones also in the mix this year, it's possible that Skoronski could fall to the 17th overall pick, and the Steelers could be tempted to pounce.

Arm length matters for offensive tackles

This is where Skoronski's arm length comes in. Multiple media outlets, including The Draft Network, believe that Skoronski has 32'' arms. If this proves to be true, it would place him in the 9th percentile among NFL offensive tackles entering the draft. It's also a sign that he's probably not a tackle in the NFL.

According to Mockdraftable's database, only 7 offensive tackles entering the NFL since 1999 have had 32'' arms. None have measured in shorter than this. Almost all of these college offensive tackles with short arms have had to make the switch to guard in the NFL as they simply don't have the length to hold up at the highest level of competition.

Obviously, a great guard is still valuable to a football team. But they don't have the same impact that a blindside protector does (there's a reason tackles are one of the highest-paid positions in the league).

How high should Steelers value Peter Skoronski if he doesn't meet thresholds?

This changes things. Guard isn't a big-money position, and if Skoronski has arms under 33'', most teams will view him as a guard at the next level. So where should the Steelers value him if this is the case?

For some, this doesn't change things much. Skoronski was such a good player at Northwestern with incredible tape that many fans and analysts would be fine with Pittsburgh spending the 17th overall pick on him. In fact, his arm length is probably the only reason he would fall to this range anyway.

If Skoronski had 34'' arms, he would almost be a lock to be a top-5 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft (that's how much it matters). Instead, his Combine measurements could hurt him a bit. However, I have very little reserves that the All-American offensive lineman could effortlessly make the transition to the interior offensive line.

The questions then become: how valuable is a guard in comparison to Pittsburgh's other needs and how big of an upgrade will he be at the position? There's no doubt that Skoronski would be an upgrade over Kevin Dotson from day one. But if the Steelers know he is a guard, then the discussion will go back to which positions they could potentially value more. Cornerback could be one of them as this is an extremely good CB class and they are considered a 'money' position whereas guards are not.

If Peter Skoronski measures in with very short arms at the NFL Combine and the Pittsburgh Steelers do decide to draft him anyway, I don't think that fans will be upset in the long run. However, I'm convinced there is no measurement more important at the Combine this year. Skoronski's official arm length could determine how far he falls in the NFL Draft and what position the Steelers could view him as in the NFL.