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Texas could potentially have three players selected within the first two days of the 2021 NFL Draft.
That number could realistically increase to four if safety Caden Sterns joins the crew. ESPN and NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper recently updated his position rankings.
While only one Longhorn appeared on Kiper’s Big Board (subscription required), three were included in his updated position rankings.
Kiper lists the top five draft prospects at each position as well as the top 25 players overall. Left tackle Samuel Cosmi appeared as the No. 8 overall player on his board.
“Did you know Texas hasn’t had a first-round pick from the offensive side of the ball since quarterback Vince Young in 2006? Cosmi could break that streak. A starter at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2018 who then switched to left tackle last season, he is a phenomenal talent. Just watch this 12-yard touchdown reception from 2019. Cosmi has great feet and can also bowl over edge defenders in the run game. The Big 12 is wide open in 2020, but the Longhorns have the league’s best offensive lineman and a really solid veteran quarterback in Sam Ehlinger.”
However, Cosmi is listed as the No. 2 overall offensive tackle in this draft class. Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell is the only tackle ranked ahead of Cosmi at No. 2 overall on Kiper’s Big Board.
Sam Ehlinger was listed among the five best draft-eligible quarterbacks. Kiper currently ranks Ehlinger as the No. 4 signal caller for the 2021 NFL Draft. His draft stock steadily seems to rise, that will likely continue with an impressive senior season under his belt.
Joseph Ossai made Kiper’s position rankings as the No. 4 outside linebacker in this draft class. This is quite impressive considering this will be Ossai’s first season playing the jack role in Texas’ new defensive scheme.
Texas safety Caden Sterns is widely projected to be selected within the first few rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, but Kiper does not have him listed as one of the top safeties overall.