Tag: big 12 prospects

PFF ranks Samuel Cosmi second in the Big 12 at offensive tackle

Pro Football Focus released their rating for the top returning offensive tackles in 2020. Samuel Cosmi came in second in the Big 12.

This offseason Pro Football Focus (PFF) has done a tremendous job at ranking returning starters in their perspective conferences. Samuel Cosmi has been a hot topic among the NFL Draft community. Viewed by man such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper as a top 20 talent and one of the best tackles of the class. However, as PFF sees it Cosmi is the second best returner in the conference but by a narrow margin. Teven Jenkins of Oklahoma State takes the top spot.

It could be a battle between Jenkins and Cosmi for who is the second offensive tackle taken off the draft board in 2021. The top guy being Oregoon’s Penei Sewell who is being touted as a top three draft pick this early on. Cosmi is returning for his fourth season on the Forty Acres after passing up the NFL Draft in 2020.

After moving to left tackle, Cosmi has only continued to improve each and every year under offensive line coach Herb Hand. The 2020 season should be no different for the Humble, Texas. Once a three star prospect and the 135th ranked offensive tackle by 247Sports, continues to prove his doubters wrong. Why should anyone believe that he won’t continue to do so and make another big jump in 2020?

Praise continues to roll in for Samuel Cosmi

Samuel Cosmi is viewed as a top prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft class and the praise continues to roll in for Sam Ehlinger’s protector.

So far since the 2020 NFL Draft concluded, there has been plenty said about Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi. Following their 38-10 thrashing of the Utah Utes in the Valero Alamo Bowl, there was some thought that Cosmi could declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. In fact he did submit paperwork to the NFL Advisory Board for feedback on his draft status.

Since that time plenty of outlets have projected Cosmi to be a first round draft pick. Which would be the Longhorns first one since 2015 when the Patriots selected Malcolm Brown. Recently ESPN’s Mel Kiper listed Cosmi as a top 25 prospect and his second rated offensive tackle. The praise from ESPN didn’t stop there. In a recent roundtable with fellow ESPN writers, Ryan McGee weighed in on once such topic with Samuel Cosmi in mind.

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Other than a QB or Penei Sewell, which player would you want to build a team around?

Samuel Cosmi isn’t Penei, but he’s close. Dude is 6-7, 310, has switched from right tackle to left, and let’s not forget him looking like Tony Gonzalez on that screen pass he ran in from the 20 against West Virginia last season. He’s coming back for a fourth season at Texas. He’s only going to get better.

That is high praise for Cosmi considering Oregon’s Penei Sewell is viewed as the best offensive tackle in the class and a top five lock at this point in the process. Obviously being that it is only May, Sewell could slide down the board for teams and draft analysts alike. However, given what Sewell is able to do on the field it is high praise for Cosmi nonetheless. The 2020 football season could be one that earns Cosmi a lot of money in the future.

Texas Longhorns in Mel Kipers’ top 25 big board

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr has released his early top 25 big board for the 2021 NFL Draft class. Sam Cosmi, Joseph Ossai and Caden Sterns make it.

Recently ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr released his 2021 top 25 players* for next year’s NFL Draft. The big name on the list for the Longhorns in the 2021 class will be Sam. No, not Ehlinger but Cosmi. According to Kiper, Samuel Cosmi is listed as the second best offensive tackle in the class.

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Cosmi comes in at number 12 on the board.

Cosmi, who started at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2018 then switched to left tackle last season, is a phenomenal athlete. Just watch this 12-yard touchdown reception from 2019. He has great feet and can also bowl over edge defenders in the run game. If he puts all of his talent together, he could be a top-10 pick. 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.

The offensive tackle is the Longhorns best shot at their first round one draft pick since 2015. Recently, former linebacker Malik Jefferson tweeted about a time that he went up against Cosmi on the scout team, he knew then how talented he was.

Kiper goes on to list his top five players of the 2021 class at each position, here is how the Longhorns stacked up.

  • Samuel Cosmi, OT, 2nd
  • Joseph Ossai, OLB, 5th
  • Caden Sterns, S, 3rd

Joseph Ossai will be an interesting study this upcoming football season. Currently slated to play in the “Jack” role for the Longhorns defense as a pass rush-linebacker hybrid on the outside. Ossai is very much built like the weakside defensive ends at the NFL level. While Kiper listed him as an outside linebacker, he could be viewed more as a pass rush specialist after the 2020 college football seasons. He finished five sacks (three came against Utah) and 13.5 tackles for loss last season, with a new focus expect those numbers to skyrocket. As will his draft stock following his junior year.

Caden Sterns has recently been receiving some first round hype in some mock drafts early on in the process. Despite that he had a down year in 2019, big things could be on the horizon for the third-year safety. Sterns only played in nine games, starting eight due to injury. The 2018 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year could have a return to his 2018 form under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. With the emphasis being on getting to the quarterback, there could be plenty of opportunities for Sterns to make plays on the ball or create turnovers with his punishing style.

 

Texas Football: Latest 2021 Mock Draft

The latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft has two Texas Longhorns selected in round one. One to the Chicago Bears and one to the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2020 NFL Draft saw Brandon Jones, Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson all finding new homes. The 2021 NFL Draft could see even more Longhorns finding their new homes. More specifically, multiple Texas players could do so on day one of the 2021 draft. Luke Easterling of Draft Wire has released his latest mock draft. In his way too early projections, two Longhorns get the call to the stage for pursue their professional career.

Pick 01.14

Chicago Bears: Samuel Cosmi, Offensive Tackle

Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

There is no question that a top need for the Chicago Bears is at offensive line. For the Bears to climb out of the doldrums of the NFC North division, they have to upgrade the position. Yes, the Detroit Lions were by far the worst team in the division but the Bears were a bottom five offensive team in the league in 2019.

The Bears were bottom five in almost every offensive statistical category. Upgrading their offensive line needs to be a top priority. Especially at offensive tackle. The Bears currently have Charles Leno Jr and Bobby Massie as their starters and signed through 2022. However, the team could look to get younger and more athletic at the position. Hence why taking Samuel Cosmi would be a smart move by the team.

Pick 01.26

Dallas Cowboys: Caden Sterns, Safety

Tim Warner/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys did a lot in the 2020 offseason to upgrade their team but they did not put as much emphasis on the safety position. The team brought in HaHa Clinton-Dix but only a one-year contract. Add in the fact that Xavier Woods is also on a one-year deal the team could look to upgrade the position in the next offense. Caden Sterns has entered the chat.

Sterns enters his third year in Austin and many feel that it could be his last. If Sterns declares for the NFL Draft he could very well find his way into the 2021 NFL Draft conversation in round one. Sterns need to prove he can stay healthy, and he very well could thrive under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. He is one season removed from snagging four interceptions as a freshman and look for him to return to form in 2020.

Top 50 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft includes two Longhorns

The Longhorns could realistically produce two first-round draft picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

It’s never too early to take a glance at the top prospects eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft.

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