Washington Football Team: How Samuel Cosmi can break this trend
In recent drafts, the Washington Football Team has not had the best of luck with second-round draft picks. But Samuel Cosmi can break that trend.
Over the last decade, the Washington Football Team’s second-round picks were Jarvis Jenkins, David Amerson, Trent Murphy, Preston Smith, Su’a Cravens, Ryan Anderson, and Derrius Guice. While there were some solid contributors in this list like Preston Smith, Trent Murphy, and (to some extent) Ryan Anderson, none of the players listed above re-signed with Washington for a second contract.
Others like Amerson, Cravens, and Guice got released before their first contract expired. It’s certainly not an inspiring list of second-round selections in the previous decade for the Washington Football Team.
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This year’s second-round pick, Samuel Cosmi, was Washington’s first second-round selection of the current decade. Washington did not have one in 2020, as they sent theirs to Indianapolis in the trade-up to acquire Montez Sweat in 2019.
And Cosmi should have a chance to break the trend of Washington’s poor second-round track record.
How Samuel Cosmi can break the Washington Football Team’s second-round curse
For starters, Cosmi fills a need at a premium position. If he performs well, he could slot in as the team’s starting left tackle, one of the most important positions on the roster. The redshirt junior started in 34 of the 35 games he appeared in. That amounts to three years of starter experience at the Power 5 level.
Cosmi is also an athletic freak. Posting a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score at his Pro Day (the second-highest mark of any offensive tackle prospect ever since 1987), he has an elite blend of strength, quickness, and straight-line speed.
However, Cosmi did show some rawness to his game at Texas. The Longhorn was drafted on Day 2, rather than in the first round, due to his inconsistency. In some games, he would like one of the best offensive line prospects in the class, and in others, he would have poor technique and not be near as dominant as some of his other performances.
At times, he was Jekyll & Hyde, looking like two different players from week to week.
However, as I wrote in my piece about Washington focusing on versatility and athleticism, this is not deterring Ron Rivera. In fact, it shows he has great faith in his coaching. Rightfully so, as the Washington Football Team has one of the best offensive lines coaches in the NFL.
John Matsko turned Morgan Moses’ career around last year, helped Wes Schweitzer post a career season, elevated Chase Roullier into one of the best centers in the NFL, elevated Brandon Scherff’s play from Pro Bowl level to All-Pro level, and helped Cornelius Lucas become a capable starter.
With the athletic traits that Samuel Cosmi possesses, there is no reason John Matsko can not get the same, or more, out of Cosmi.
Related Story. Grading the WFT's first four 2021 draft picks. light
And lastly, unlike the last decade of second-round picks, Cosmi will not be coming into a trainwreck of an organization. The second-round picks last decade came into one of the worst situations in pro football. Washington was constantly in a state of flux in the 2010s.
That is no longer the case anymore. Washington still has some of the stench left over from the previous regime, but that is slowly being swept out by Ron Rivera and Team President Jason Wright.
The Washington Football Team is an organization with one voice and one vision. For the first time in what is truly a really long time, the Washington Football Team is not a complete laughingstock.
That is why I believe Cosmi can break the trend of poor second-round selections for Washington. An uber-athletic talent at a premium position of need coming into an organization with a clear plan is a recipe for success. Add in that he gets to learn from one of the best offensive lines coaches in football, and it’s a near match made in heaven.
Jamin Davis may get the headlines due to being the first-round pick at another big position of need and Dyami Brown is maybe the most exciting pick for Washington. However, in three years, it is very possible that Samuel Cosmi can be the most impactful player from this class.
Next. Tracking the WFT's UDFAs in 2021. dark
Cosmi not only has a chance to break the trend of poor selections in the second round for Washington but also he has a chance to be a stalwart at left tackle for this franchise for years to come.