2021 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys draft DB Israel Mukuamu: CB or SAF?
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys stay on brand at defensive back, selecting the 6-foot-4 212 lb. Israel Mukuamu in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In a draft that only featured two 6-foot-4 corners, the Dallas Cowboys picked both of them.
Like Nashon Wright drafted before him, he’s a tall and lanky player who projects great in the Cover 3. But also like him, he struggles with change of direction and has questions with inside breaking rotes.
The Dallas Cowboys picked up Israel Mukuamu in the sixth round – how will the DB be used?
He isn’t overly fast and will struggle with smaller receivers. Israel is a matchup weapon and can play some man coverage if the WR fits. That said, he’s been abused by some big bodied pass-catchers in the past so even that is far from a sure thing.
Israel Mukuamu was drafted with pick 227 of round 6 in the 2021 draft class. He does not qualify for a RAS due to a lack of measurements. https://t.co/RXbq6dPgWo #RAS #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/61GlobNKRI
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
He started three games at free safety and could project as a safety/inside slot player as well. He shows good ball skills and while he doesn’t have sticky coverage he shows some awareness and should be able to offer position flex.
Dallas Cowboys new DB Israel Mukuamu aligned at outside CB 123 times, slot CB 42 times, in the box 28 times, and at free safety 45 times. His future is based more on matchups than an actual position on the field. #CowboysNation #CowboysDraft
— Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) May 1, 2021
He prefers press-man coverage and the Dallas Cowboys have spoke of their desire to play more press-man so the fit is clean. He’s smart and that goes a long way in making the transition to the pros. At this point, he should be on level ground with Wright for one of those last CB spots.
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We shouldn’t expect him to have a roster spot but he should be given every chance to get the job done. That said, most of us projected Israel Mukuamu as a higher prospect than Wright. It’s a good pick who was selected in the right round. If Dallas is willing to play him creatively he could be an asset for the team on both defense and special teams.
PFF rates Israel Mukuamu as a fifth round pick talent and sees him as a press man specialist. Much like we’ve determined. They also pointed out his hands (doesn’t drop interception opportunities) and he’s a strong tacker in traffic or the open field.
He has 34-inch arms and is an asset n the locker room. Team leader and highly competitive. The biggest question is his position flex and how much he’ll be used at safety.
Next. The Dallas Cowboys get their defensive tackle. dark
What do you think about Israel Mukuamu?
- Published on 05/01/2021 at 22:15 PM
- Last updated at 05/01/2021 at 22:16 PM