Texas Football: Top 3 Longhorn prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 21: Samuel Cosmi #52 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

There were six offensive tackles selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a position that gets selected high in the draft due to the need for efficient blocking and protection of an NFL team’s quarterback.

Samuel Cosmi stepped into the starting role in his redshirt freshman season in 2018. During that year, Cosmi played in 14 games and started in 13 of them at the right tackle position. He was selected as a Freshmen All-American with his exceptional and consistent performance as a pass blocker and run blocker.

Cosmi transitioned to the starting left tackle in his redshirt sophomore season. He started all 13 games for the Longhorns in 2019 and allowed only 14 pressures and one sack in 540 pass protecting plays.

He graded out an overall grade of 83.5 by Pro Football Focus as well as an 84.2 pass-blocking grade and 76.9 run-blocking grade. He had the fourth-best grade of all Big 12 blockers of allowing pressures all season long. He was named apart of the second-team All-Big 12 team.

Moreover, he is regarded by many, including myself, as the fourth-ranked offensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft class. He will likely be a top consideration as a 2020 preseason Big 12 first-team selection.

One of the biggest traits he possesses well is his ability to move in pass protection. He will need to get better in run block support to match the other top tackles in the 2021 class.

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