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Dallas Cowboys: Israel Mukuamu a low-risk, high-reward pick

By Sayre Bedinger

Jun 8, 2021; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hines III (51) and cornerback Israel Mukuamu (38) defend against tight end Sean McKeon (84) during voluntary Organized Team Activities at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2021; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hines III (51) and cornerback Israel Mukuamu (38) defend against tight end Sean McKeon (84) during voluntary Organized Team Activities at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys understandably emphasized the defensive side of the ball throughout their entire 2021 NFL Draft class. The Cowboys ranked 28th in the NFL last season in scoring defense, allowing nearly 30 points per game.

They were the second-worst run defense in pro football statistically with 2,541 yards allowed in 16 games and 5.0 yards per carry surrendered.

Those figures are not ideal, to say the least.

The Cowboys overhauled their defense from the top down, and they brought in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn to stabilize things as the new defensive coordinator. Quinn joins Mike McCarthy’s staff and inherits a pretty young unit of players which will look pretty significantly different from a year ago.

The Dallas Cowboys obviously determined that it was not only scheme but personnel that was affecting their ability to play competent defense, and they emphasized that side of the ball in a big way in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Dallas Cowboys emphasize defense in 2021 Draft

The Dallas Cowboys spent eight of their 11 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft on defense, including their first six picks consecutively.

With their 10th pick in the draft, the Cowboys managed to get a nice low-risk, high-reward option for their defensive backfield in South Carolina cornerback/safety Israel Mukuamu.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1312469101869174786

After the 2019 season, there was understandably a lot of intrigue with Mukuamu. First of all, how many defensive backs are 6-foot-4?

Mukuamu has rare size and length for the defensive backfield, no matter if he’s playing corner or safety. He also picked off four passes in 2019 and had nine pass breakups. In just 22 games total at South Carolina, he intercepted seven passes altogether.

As he transitions full-time to the safety position, you can’t help but be intrigued by his combination of size and ball skills.

He’s got some big-time athletic ability and explosiveness, and there is obviously going to be an opportunity for him to step into the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary and earn a role sooner rather than later.

Xavier Woods, who led the Cowboys’ defensive backs with 990 snaps played last season, is now with the Minnesota Vikings. Mukuamu is not exactly going to get the first crack at starter snaps, but he can work his way there in a hurry if he can keep making plays on the ball.

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