2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team goes offense in Round 1
Samuel Cosmi. 24. player. 55. . Offensive Tackle. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers may have to re-do their offensive line this offseason. Alejandro Villanueva, Matt Feiler, and Zach Banner are all heading for free agency. Maurkice Pouncey has retired. That leaves David DeCastro and Chukwuma Okorafor as the only two of the team’s top-six offensive linemen likely to stay.
Pittsburgh will probably do what they can to bring back some — if not, all — of their free agents. That said, it’s not guaranteed that they will succeed and even if they do bring Villanueva back, he’ll be 33 by the end of September. So, a potential successor is needed for him.
Samuel Cosmi is one of the better options on the board at this juncture. Though he’ll just be 22 in February, Cosmi spent four years at Texas and has played in 35 games (34 starts). He served as a left tackle for the team and generally blocked well for the Longhorns.
Cosmi has excellent size at 6-foot-7 and could add weight to his 309-pound frame. He’s a bit raw, but he has the ability and length needed to be corral opposing pass rushers and he should do well enough against the run. He had success at Texas blocking for Sam Ehlinger and demonstrated upside that can be tapped into.
Adding a bit of weight would help him, and his frame would allow it, so that could be a focus for him as he’s coached up to start his NFL career.
For the Steelers, Cosmi could either serve as a swing tackle and potential long-term replacement for Villanueva or he could take over for the Banner/Okorafor duo on the right side. If Villanueva leaves, he could also fit into that role on the left side.
If the Steelers are going to roll with Ben Roethlisberger for one more year, they have to make sure he’s well protected. Cosmi would help them do that and will have a chance to develop into a long-term top-10 tackle.
If Cosmi is too raw for the Steelers’ liking, going with a tackle like Liam Eichenberg or a center like Landon Dickerson or Creed Humphrey would be another way for them to improve their offense. One thing is certain though: After signing former Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins to a prove-it deal, don’t expect them to take on a guy like Kyle Trask here.