5 Steps to make the Dallas Cowboys defense better in 2023

It’s time for Israel Mukuamu to play consistently for the Dallas Cowboys. 

Donovan Wilson was a reliable player for the Dallas Cowboys but his time with the team should be all but over. Regardless of what his market value is, his coverage skills continue to leave the team in compromising positions. Dallas Cowboys have a replacement already waiting for lift off. Israel Mukuamu will be entering his third NFL season and he is primed for a starting safety spot.

Standing at 6’4″ 205 pounds, he has the athletic profile that is exactly what the team needs on the field. His ball skills and experience playing cornerback at the collegiate level will be an immediate upgrade over Wilson’s comprised coverage skills. Mukuamu would be interchangeable with Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker. Either three of them could cover running backs out of the backfield and run with tight ends up the middle of the field.

The one item that Israel was missing that made him a liability was his strength at the point of attack. In his first year, it was a beautiful thing to see him move with such fluidity around the field (in preseason) but when it came to making solo tackles that beautiful thing backfired. Near the end of last season and into the playoffs, we saw a different player. A stronger, more confident player who came into his own.

I understand Dan Quinn has a lot of trust in Donovan Wilson, but moving the defense into an elite status requires above average coverage. Israel will now sure up that portion of the defense next season.