Texas safety B.J. Foster suffers broken hand after punching car

Texas head coach Tom Herman announced on Thursday that safety B.J. Foster has a broken hand.

It’s been quite the offseason for Texas safety B.J. Foster. Continue reading “Texas safety B.J. Foster suffers broken hand after punching car”

Denver Broncos depth chart prediction: Safety   

Which safeties will make the Broncos’ 53-man roster?

As we wrap up our 2020 depth chart prediction series for the Denver Broncos, today we’re going to be looking at the linebacker position.

Previously, we predicted QBRBTEWROL, DL, LB and CB depth charts for the Broncos. Here’s a look at our safety prediction:

Justin Simmons Kareem Jackson
Douglas Coleman III Trey Marshall
Alijah Holder P.J. Locke
Kahani Smith

Last year, Denver carried two starters and two backup safeties on the initial 53-man roster. That will probably be the strategy again this year.

Marshall is the most experienced backup on the roster and he is the favorite to replace Will Parks as the team’s new No. 3 safety. That leaves four safeties competing for just one remaining spot in the back of the secondary.

Holder will have an experience edge over Coleman, which might give him an advantage in the competition. If he doesn’t make the active roster, Coleman will likely make the practice squad.

Right now, though, Coleman might be the favorite for the No. 4 job.

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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?

Notre Dame Misses Out on Prized ’21 Corner

Notre Dame was in Devin Kirkwood’s “final five” that was released just over a week ago but wound up missing out to a Pac-12 school Thursday.

After getting tough but expected news about running back Will Shipley last week, Notre Dame quickly bounced back getting a pair of commitments by weeks end from defensive back Philip Riley and defensive end Jason Onye.

They had also been mentioned by four-star defensive back Devin Kirkwood as making his top five but the Gardena (Junipera Serra), California product chose elsewhere Thursday, making a commitment to UCLA.

Notre Dame’s list of commitments instead stays at ten as of May 14 with a pair of defensive backs included in that with Riley and Justin Walters of Bolingbrook, Illinois.  Notre Dame will continue to look near and far for more secondary help in the class.

Kirkwood becomes just the third commitment for UCLA who now ranks 71st overall in the 247Sports team rankings for 2021.

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.

 

Report: Jets fielding trade offers for safety Marcus Maye

Marcus Maye could be the odd-man-out in the Jets secondary after New York drafted Ashtyn Davis in the third round.

The Jets have already done a lot to re-shape their secondary this offseason. Now, the next tweak could include moving 2017 second-round pick Marcus Maye.

Joe Douglas fielded trade offers for Maye this offseason and over the past year, according to the Daily News’ Manish Mehta. Mehta added that Adam Gase wanted to trade Maye as soon as the Jets hired him in early 2019. 

Maye formed a tenacious tandem with fellow safety Jamal Adams when the two were drafted in consecutive rounds in 2017, but his injury history and the selection of Ashtyn Davis in the third round of the 2020 draft could signal the end of Maye’s time in New York. Davis is a dynamic — albeit raw — prospect who could initially be a gadget player in Gregg Williams’ defense but has the potential to be a starter at deep safety – his preferred position.

That could leave Maye the odd man out as early as next season when his rookie contract expires, especially with the team and Adams talking an extension. The Jets could be looking to trade Maye earlier,  though, to recoup assets in case he gets injured in 2020 or so they won’t have to wait for a compensatory pick. Maye has one year left on his rookie contract that will pay him only $1,358,733 in 2020 with a $2,085,378 cap hit.

Maye rebounded in 2019 after an injury-filled 2018 season and played in all 16 games. He finished with 65 combined tackles, one interception and a career-high seven pass breakups. 

The Jets have an intriguing choice on their hands. The trio of Adams, Maye and Davis could prove to be fun for Williams’ defense given Adams’ and Davis’ ability to play all over the field. But if a team offers the Jets a solid package for Maye, Douglas likely won’t shy away from making a deal and adding more pieces to his new roster.

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.

Continue reading “Top 50 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft includes two Longhorns”

Broncos signing undrafted free agent safety Douglas Coleman III

The Broncos are signing safety Douglas Coleman III to an undrafted free agent deal.

The Denver Broncos are signing undrafted free agent safety Douglas Coleman III, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Coleman (6-1, 200 pounds) was a play-making safety at Texas Tech, recording eight interceptions as a senior. Over the last four years, Coleman totaled 137 tackles, one sack, 11 interceptions, 15 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles with the Red Raiders.

Coleman played cornerback at Texas Tech before transitioning to safety as a senior. He’s a versatile defensive back but safety appears to be his best position. After the Broncos lost Will Parks during free agency, Coleman should have a good chance of making the roster as a backup safety.

Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons will remain Denver’s two starters but there’s not much depth behind them. Coleman will be competing with Trey Marshall, Tyvis Powell, Kahani Smith and P.J. Locke for a roster spot. Right now, Marshall and Coleman are probably the favorites for backup duties.

We are tracking all of the Broncos’ undrafted free agent signings here.

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