Ben Skowronek has the hands of an angel

Ben Skowronek, TE
School: Notre Dame | Conference: ACC
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 24
Height / Weight: 6’3” / 224 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 5-7/UDFA

College Statistics

Player Overview

During his freshman year, at Northwestern, Ben Skowronek was one of only a handful of true freshmen to see the field, contributing in all 13 games, playing both wide receiver and on special teams. His sophomore year, where he started all 13 games, was actually his best statistically, bringing in 45 receptions and over 640 yards. He was also named Academic All-Big Ten.

He started all 14 games in his junior year, collected over 500 yards, and was again named Academic All-Big Ten. During his senior season, he was named as one of the team’s captains, but suffered a season-ending high ankle sprain after playing in 3 games.

Skowronek enrolled as a graduate transfer to Notre Dame in early 2020. Early in the season, he suffered a hamstring injury, causing him to miss two games, but he had a productive season nonetheless, making some spectacular catches and drawing a Senior Bowl invitation. There, it became obvious what Skowronek’s pro destination should be.

Strengths

• Has great jump ball ability.
• Runs routes well (has experience as a WR).
• Enjoys his blocking role.
• Has a high football IQ.
• Possesses great hands.

Weaknesses

• Will likely need to add some weight to play effectively as a TE.
• Suffered a Jones fracture in Senior Bowl practices (the same injury Thad Moss had).
• Older than most prospects (will be 24 by the 2021 season).

Let’s See His Work

How He Would Fit

Skowronek played WR in college, both at Northwestern and Notre Dame, but as soon as I saw him watching tape on Ian Book (QB), I said to myself, “who’s that tight end?” Skowronek measures 6’3” and somewhere in the 220s, but he plays larger than that. As a WR, I can see him being a late round pick/UDFA, but as a tight end, he looks to me like a very intriguing mid-round option.

At nearly 24, some teams may avoid Skowronek based on concerns about his age, but as I’ve hammered here before, tight ends generally need at least a couple of years of seasoning to be effective in the NFL. Perhaps Skowronek’s extra college experience has given him a leg up on that marinating period. I’d love to see Skowronek added as a potential “move” tight end option, and a solid receiving threat to operate alongside Logan Thomas in Scott Turner’s offense.