Even though the college football season is less than three weeks away from kicking off, we are in the thick of mock draft season. One of the better outlets, the Draft Network recently released their latest 2021 NFL mock draft. Drae Harris is projecting two Longhorns to be selected in the first 32 draft picks. That would mark the first time since 2007 when Aaron Ross and Michael Griffin were taken in the opening round.
With the 14th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft the Denver Broncos select
What Drae Harris says about Samuel Cosmi
The Broncos needed to improve at both tackle positions. Garett Bolles has been largely inconsistent and was plagued with penalties last year—they refused to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract. Ironically, they didn’t address either of the tackle positions in the 2020 NFL Draft. Denver bets on the upside here with Cosmi. He has the athleticism and ideal length for the perimeter. Denver believes it has its franchise quarterback in Drew Lock. Protecting him will be critical so that he can distribute the football to all of their explosive weapons on offense.
With the 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft the Philadelphia Eagles select
What Drae Harris says about Caden Sterns
Philadelphia lost a leader both in the locker room and on the field in Malcolm Jenkins. Adding Sterns to the mix to replace him would give that defense and that secondary a boost. Sterns is a good athlete who is the latest in the long line of NFL Longhorns to play in the secondary. He has the versatility to play low or high and it will be interesting to see how Philadelphia uses him in sub-packages.
What Longhorns Wire says about the selections
The two selections of Samuel Cosmi and Caden Sterns are the most logical. Both Denver and Philadelphia have needs at those particular positions. The Broncos need to protect their young quarterback, who now has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. Cosmi would likely play left tackle at the next level and protecting your quarterback’s blind side is one of the most important jobs of any player.
For the Eagles, much like Harris stated the loss of Malcolm Jenkins will be felt in the secondary. Not only a leader on the field but an emotional leader. For the Longhorns, Caden Sterns is in that role. He would work his way into the role with the Eagles. Philadelphia needs to sure up the secondary, especially considering the Dallas Cowboys just added Sterns’ old foe in CeeDee Lamb.