The Washington Commanders began training camp on July 18. The rookie class reported first, then the Commanders’ veterans reported on July 23.

The 2024 Commanders will look drastically different from last year’s team. Washington has a new general manager (Adam Peters) and coaching staff, too, lead by Dan Quinn.

The roster is also different. The Commanders signed over 20 free agents and added nine draft picks and 11 undrafted free players. How good can Washington be in 2024? Could the Commanders go from worst to first?

Over the next several weeks, we will anticipate the 2024 season by studying the 30 most prominent Commanders. Today, we look at No. 8: right guard Sam Cosmi.

Cosmi was born in Humble, Texas, and became a standout at Atascocita High School. He initially committed to the University of Houston but reversed his commitment to the University of Texas when the Longhorns appointed Tom Herman as head coach.

After redshirting his freshman season, Cosmi played all 14 games, with 13 starts, at right tackle in his rookie season. In his redshirt sophomore season, Cosmi started all 13 games. In his final season at Texas, Cosmi started every game in the COVID-shortened season. He was twice named an All-Big 12 pick.

The Commanders selected Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. He instantly became the starting right tackle.

After a difficult start in training camp, Cosmi eased nicely, but injuries ruined his rookie season. His second season was much of the same, and former head coach Ron Rivera shifted him to guard ahead of last season.

Cosmi played all 17 games as right guard in 2023 and was arguably Washington’s top offensive lineman. Cosmi grew into one of the NFL’s finest guards, and Pro Football Focus rated him an 80.6 grade for the season.

Cosmi enters the 2024 season on the final year of his rookie contract. Washington’s new government clearly values Cosmi, but general manager Adam Peters will soon need to convey that to Cosmi with a hefty contract offer. The longer the Commanders wait, the more Cosmi will cost.

If he has another excellent season, it’s likely that Cosmi may become the NFL’s highest-paid guard next year. Washington feels Cosmi can be an All-Pro anchor for their offensive line for years to come. The switch to guard was one of the better decisions Rivera made in Washington.

30. QB Marcus Mariota

29. WR Luke McCaffrey

28. TE Ben Sinnott

27. CB Michael Davis

26. G Nick Allegretti

25. S Darrick Forrest

24. The kicker

23. RT Andrew Wylie

22. S Jeremy Chinn

21. DT Johnny Newton

20. DE Clelin Ferrell

19. CB Mike Sainristil

18. DB Quan Martin

17. CB Benjamin St-Juste

16. RB Austin Ekeler

15. DE Dorance Armstrong

14. OT Cornelius Lucas

13. RB Brian Robinson Jr.

12. TE Zach Ertz

11. OT Brandon Coleman

10. C Tyler Biadasz

9. CB Emmanuel Forbes