Cowboys veteran on the rise is talking trash as he aims for a starting role he’s been waiting on for years
It hasn’t been an easy career for the Dallas Cowboys defensive back that once went toe to toe with Chris Godwin and Tom Brady in a playoff win. I’m talking, of course, about Israel Mukuamu. Since the Cowboys drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Mukuamu has played safety, cornerback, and […]
It hasn’t been an easy career for the Dallas Cowboys defensive back that once went toe to toe with Chris Godwin and Tom Brady in a playoff win. I’m talking, of course, about Israel Mukuamu.
Since the Cowboys drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Mukuamu has played safety, cornerback, and in the slot. The snip-snap, snip-snap approach has contributed to him not getting a clear role on defense. With his rookie deal expiring earlier this year, it was a pleasant surprise to see him get a chance from the Cowboys to re-sign with the team.
Mukuamu is parlaying his one-year contract into first-team reps at practice while the Cowboys wait for Trevon Diggs, Caelen Carson (who has briefly practiced in OTAs and minicamp), and Shavon Revel Jr. to fully heal up.
In the first practice of minicamp, Mukuamu practiced at outside cornerback with the ones while teammate and All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland worked the slot. After the practice, DallasCowboys.com writer Tommy Yarrish noted Mukuamu got burned by George Pickens on a comeback route. Though Yarrish only meant to point out Pickens’ big play and didn’t mean to go after Mukuamu at all, the Cowboys defender talked his trash on social media. And it was great, if you ask me.
“Talk about how I’ve been locking up too since we started, first catch I gave up on him, don’t do that Tommy,” Mukuamu wrote on X.
I’ve got no doubts some will have a problem with Mukuamu talking some trash on social media but as someone who has always thought he deserves a more specific role on defense because he has the talent to contribute, I love to see it.
With Diggs expected to miss the start of the season, Mukuamu has a legit shot at starting Week 1. He appears to have a shot working the slot or outside, too, which only helps his chances of cracking the starting lineup.
As far as his 53-man roster chances, they appear to be quite strong considering he’s established himself as a special teams contributor. He’s certainly a player to watch closely when the Cowboys get to Oxnard, California for training camp in late July.
