6 Cowboys on Thin ice Following the NFL Draft

4. Israel Mukuamu, S

The Cowboys put Israel Mukuamu in a tough spot when they selected linebacker Marist Liufau. The Notre Dame product likely pushes Markquese Bell back to his natural safety spot. Bell filled in at linebacker out of necessity in 2023 and was solid but had issues at times against the run. Jordan Love even said the Green Bay Packers targeted him in the ground game.

Bell should be just fine at safety and might be just as impactful as he replaces Jayron Kearse, who wasn't re-signed this offseason. With Bell moving, it will have a domino effect as Juanyeh Thomas drops down the depth chart and after the promise he showed in 2023, that could be a problem for Israel Mukuamu.

A former sixth-round pick in 2021, Mukuamu played cornerback for South Carolina but converted to safety. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he's been solid in press coverage and was used often in the slot. He might not retain that role with how well Thomas played as well as the addition of Caelen Carson in Round 5 who can also play the slot.

Mukuamu has been a solid addition and was well worth the 227th pick when he entered the league. But he hasn't taken the next step in his development and the talent around him means he might be running out of time.