Cowboys 2024 Minicamp: 3 defensive players to keep a close eye in key offseason dates
With OTAs in the rearview mirror, the Dallas Cowboys are kicking off mandatory minicamp this Tuesday. Just like OTAs, no live contact is allowed in minicamp and the real difference is all about attendance not being voluntary anymore. But we'll still be hearing from insiders, coaches, and players about which players are getting reps on the […]
With OTAs in the rearview mirror, the Dallas Cowboys are kicking off mandatory minicamp this Tuesday.
Just like OTAs, no live contact is allowed in minicamp and the real difference is all about attendance not being voluntary anymore. But we'll still be hearing from insiders, coaches, and players about which players are getting reps on the first, second, and third team, so fans can expect to learn more about the 2024 Cowboys.
Just like we did with the offense in a previous post, we're now diving into three Cowboys defenders to be in the lookout for during this week's minicamp.
1. DB Israel Mukuamu
Mukuamu is a player I'm intrigued by because he's too good to be left out of the roster yet I wonder if he could become the odd man out at safety, where both Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell are competing to be the backups for Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson. Thomas and Bell saw significant playing time in 2023 even if the latter did so at linebacker.
But the good news for Mukuamu is he isn't limited to playing safety. He can – and has – played cornerback just as well int he past, even matching up against Chris Godwin in the nickel while Tom Brady threw the football in the 2022-2023 NFL playoffs.
My big questions moving forward for Mukuamu is where does he spend the most time in as Mike Zimmer takes over the defense and could he potentially be a shocking choice to be the #4 of the cornerback rotation? We'll find out soon enough.
But I strongly believe moving to cornerback full-time would be a great move for Mukuamu as that would get him closer to playing time.
2. LB Marist Liufau
Liufau isn't expected to start in 2024 as Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, and DeMarvion Overshown are all expected to be above him on the depth chart. But Liufau has surprised teammates and coaches with his high football IQ, which largely led to the Cowboys drafting him in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Can Liufau star in some Cowboys highlights this minicamp? His college film has many describing him as an instinctual linebacker that will need better gap discipline and control on the field. Under Mike Zimmer's defensive coaching staff, the process might be sped up.
3. CB Eric Scott Jr.
This will not be a highly popular pick but to be honest, I just want to learn more about Scott Jr. following a rookie season in which he was a healthy scratch every step of the way. The thing is that's not necessarily bad.
When the Cowboys traded up for Scott Jr. last year, it was made clear he was a raw prospect that needed time to develop. Now, he's got a full year under his belt of working with Al Harris.
I'm looking forward to learning more about where the former Southern Miss prospect stands in a Cowboys' cornerback depth chart. Could Scott take Nahshon Wright's roster spot, for example?
