Washington drafts Samuel Cosmi in round 2
April 30, 2021
by Steve Thomas
Washington drafted University of Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi with the 19th pick in round two of the NFL draft, 51st overall. Cosmi, who stands 6’6” and weighs 314 pounds, hails from Humble, Texas. He spent a total of 4 years at Texas, redshirting his freshman year in 2017, then played in 35 games between 2018 and 2020, starting 34, with 14 games at right tackle and 21 at left tackle. He played in 8 games in 2020 before opting out of the remainder of the season. Cosmi earned First Team All Big 12 honors in 2020 and Second Team All Big 12 honors in 2019.
Cosmi did well in the athletic measurements portion of his pro day, running the 40 yard dash in 4.8 seconds and doing 36 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press. His arm length was measured at 33 inches. The book on Cosmi with most scouts is that his best quality is his athleticism and ability to move laterally. He’s viewed as being able use his length to his advantage in pass protection and in the second level, and having the speed to operate in space. Cosmi’s principal negatives are play strength – a concern that may be alleviated somewhat by his outstanding bench press number at his pro day – and his tendency to rely too much on his agility rather than solid technique in pass protection and the run game. He’s viewed as someone who may need to start on the right side early in his career while he’s developing his NFL-level skills before moving over to the left tackle position. Some scouts see Cosmi as being ideal for a zone blocking scheme.
Cosmi joins a tackle group that includes longtime right tackle Morgan Moses, 2020 starter Cornelius Lucas, 2020 fourth round pick Saahdiq Charles, last year’s part-time starter David Sharpe, Rick Leonard, and David Steinmetz. It isn’t clear at this time whether Cosmi will become a right or left tackle for the Redskins Washington. He has the collegiate experience at left tackle, but it’s possible that the coaching staff will want to give him time to develop rather than immediately placing him on the blind side. The team currently does not have a franchise left tackle, so Cosmi may be the long term answer, although he will have to compete with Charles for that role. Regardless of where he plays in 2021, Cosmi is a much-needed addition to a group in need of young, elite talent, and should eventually become a starter for the team.