Before the 2020 college football season, a name that was not spoken enough as an NFL Draft prospect was Joseph Ossai. During the months of August and September, it was more about Samuel Cosmi and the safety of Caden Sterns. Sterns’ momentum cooled over the course of the season, while Cosmi and Ossai started to heat up.
When you look at Ossai, he is your prototypical defensive tip that is probably best suited for the external 3-4 linebacker. However, he has the characteristics to get his hands dirty in scheme 4-3. A player who can play in multiple schemes will increase his profile for the teams. Since some organizations like to be multiple on their defensive fronts, their ability to adjust will help you a lot.
Ossai is a guy with a lot of effort and a lot of motor skills who never gives up playing. Where it ends at the next level, Ossai will help them immensely. Here are some places that Joseph Ossai could land.
Draft order determined by Tankathon.
Las Vegas Raiders: choose 01.17
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The Raiders have to deal with Justin Herbert of the Chargers, Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Drew Lock of the Broncos twice a year. One thing that needs to improve is the ability to chase the quarterback. Ossai helps to define the edge and put pressure on the dowel. This could be the first that Ossai could be stolen in April.
Indianapolis Colts: choose 01.22
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The Colts ended the regular season with a defense in the top 10. Denico Autry and Justin Houston finished with a combination of 15.5 bags, but you can also upgrade your position with youth and athleticism. Insert Ossai in this rotation and the defense against passing and running improves immediately. Not to mention that he would be helped with DeForest Buckner by swallowing blocks in the middle of the line.
Cleveland Browns: choose 01.23
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First year coach Kevin Stefanski is building a young and rival team in his first year. The team gets a lot of production from the passing race, but Ossai would be the future after Olivier Vernon and you could let him learn from Myles Garrett. That would be the dynamic pass-rush duo for years to come.
Tennessee Titans: choose 01.24
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The Titans are no strangers to the ex-Texas Longhorns on their team. On the 2020 list they have Kenny Vaccaro, D’Onta Foreman and Geoff Swaim. Of course, they need major improvements in their passing race, as they have had a player with more than four sacks throughout the season with Harold Landry. Giving Mike Vrabel another rusher pass will definitely help his defense in 2021.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Choose 01.25
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With the likelihood that Shaq Barrett might choose to go free, the Buccaneers could find themselves looking for a quarterback hunter. Joseph Ossai could fit in perfectly with what they like to do in defense and create confusion for that defense. If he slips into choice 25, Ossai must be ripe for the Tampa Bay board’s choice.
Baltimore Ravens: Choose 01.26
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What would be a conversation about the future of a Texas Longhorn without mentioning the Ravens. They are no strangers to former Horns players. Currently, Justin Tucker, Devin Duvernay and DeShon Elliott are on their list. With contract situations in Baltimore, Ossai could be the next Longhorn in line to head east and play to the next level.