Keim: Coleman ‘top internal option’ to play LT

Cosmi will need to clear concussion protocol in time to play in Week 3’s home opener against the Seahawks. Cosmi took a hard helmet-to-helmet shot from teammate Kaytron Allen while trying to make a block and immediately went down on the field for several minutes. Rookie sixth-rounder Matt Gulbin took over in his absence and could be in line to draw the start for him next week if Cosmi is unable to play. Quinn also said DT Javon Kinlaw suffered a shoulder injury and LT Brandon Coleman suffered a finger injury in the loss.

Coleman hasn’t played since Week 2 and, after a decent rookie season, is now a healthy scratch for the Commanders. Also inactive for the Commanders are: QB Josh Johnson (emergency 3rd QB), WR Terry McLaurin (quad), LB Ale Kaho, LB Kain Medrano and WR Noah Brown (knee/groin).

Coleman exited in Sunday’s win over the Panthers and did not return. He’ll now be required to clear concussion protocol if he hopes to suit up in Week 8 against the Bears. The rookie has started every game at left tackle for the Commanders this season and had given up only two sacks entering Week 7, per PFF. Cornelius Lucas replaced Coleman and would likely draw the start if Coleman cannot go.

Most viewed Coleman as a guard, but the Commanders are selecting the 6-foot-4, 313-pound lineman as a tackle. Coleman spent much of his youth in Berlin, Germany playing basketball before moving to Texas where he picked up football. Due to his late introduction to the game Coleman went the JUCO route and developed into the seventh-rated OT from the 2020 class. He immediately carved out an impact role at RT, earning a rock solid 81.1 pass block grade with one pressure allowed over 115 snaps through four games before suffering a season-ending injury. He would go onto toggle between left guard and left tackle for the last three years, starting every game at LT for during TCU’s magical run to the National Championship game in 2022, playing a workman-like 1,007 snaps while achieving a career-high 80th percentile PFF overall grade. Last year he logged 465 reps at left tackle before moving back to guard where he didn’t allow a sack for the third time in four seasons at TCU. His overall level of play dropped as he dealt with the increased movement responsibilities from kicking inside, leading the team with six penalties to go with 20 pressures and a pedestrian 55.5 run block grade. A strong offseason that saw him perform well at the Senior Bowl continued at the Combine where Coleman blew away the offensive line group with a blazing 4.99s 40-yard dash that ranks in the 97th percentile and a similarly impressive 1.73s 10-yard split (94th%). He also tossed up a 34” vert (99th%) and 9’06” broad jump (97th%) that reinforces his near-perfect 9.98 RAS. Long-armed (34.625”) and versatile, Coleman is at his best on the inside where he doesn’t have to worry about ultra-athletic edge rushers smoking him on the loop. Fires off the snap and uses advanced movement ability to lead the way on pulls. He can leave his chest exposed when biting on feints and could stand to develop more cohesive counters. Coleman’s verified traits and athleticism are the kind of attributes NFL offensive line coaches salivate over, and it’s no surprise he goes with a Day 2 selection.