Commanders deep dive: Should Sam Cosmi switch back to offensive tackle?

Why did the Commanders switch Sam Cosmi?

Sam Cosmi is playing right guard for one reason - and only one reason. The Washington Commanders have no one else remotely capable of doing it.

The current coaching regime has badly neglected the offensive line for the entirety of Ron Rivera’s tenure and it is having devastating effects on the team’s success right now. Playing Cosmi at guard will extend those effects into the future.

This is a team that not too long ago had an offensive line boasting four of its draft picks - two first-rounders (Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff), a third-rounder (Morgan Moses), and a fifth-rounder (Chase Roullier). Only the left guard (Shawn Lauvao) was a free-agent signee.

The current line is made up of three free agents, one seventh-round pick, and Cosmi, who was taken in the second round in 2021. He was drafted to be the team’s right tackle.

But this year, with no one else to play guard, they moved him.

The other guard spot was a battle between two Day 3 draft picks - Saahdiq Charles and Chris Paul. The former won the job but did not perform well before going to injured/reserve.

Paul is now starting, and he has not been any better than Charles. Rookie Ricky Stromberg, who began the season as the team’s primary backup at guard, is hurt. If either Cosmi or Paul were to suffer an injury, benched center Nick Gates - another free agent signee in 2023 - would step in.

Andrew Wylie could also move inside in a pinch because the Commanders have better depth at offensive tackle. In this scenario, Cornelius Lucas could fill the right edge role.

But I’m tired of tackles moving to guard. It worked with Scherff but it has not worked since.

Cosmi, given his physical attributes, is simply a bad fit inside. Though some good tackles stand 6-foot-6, height is generally a detriment inside, where leverage is vital. The Texas product does not move powerful defensive tackles. On the other hand, his long arms, and nimble feet are a genuine positive for a tackle.