The Minnesota Vikings had an incredible free agency period, strengthening their trenches on both sides of the ball, something they had vowed to do after the season ended. While most of the conversations have been about what the Vikings have gained this offseason, they have also lost some key pieces.
Minnesota is a little thinner at safety than last year after losing Cam Bynum to the Indianapolis Colts. Harrison Smith and Theo Jackson return for another season, but there are questions around them. Jackson has never played more than 125 snaps on defense in one season and likely will be the fill-in for Bynum. Smith is a year older. While he has maintained a respectable level of play, the 36-year-old will eventually slow down.
Given the questions that plague this position, the Vikings would be wise to address them in the draft. Andrew Mukuba from the University of Texas could be Minnesota’s answer at safety.
Mukuba’s versatility should appeal to the Vikings. He played in the box at Texas, lined up in the slot, and even played deep-coverage safety.
Mukuba started his college career at Clemson, where he became the first true freshman defensive back to start since 1972. He earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and transferred to Texas for his senior season, where he showcased his ball skills and playmaking ability.
While there is a lot to like about Mukuba’s game, he will need to grow into his body at the next level. At 5’11”, 186 lbs., he’s on the smaller side for safeties and likely will need to add to his frame to compete at the next level. Despite that smaller frame, he wasn’t afraid to get dirty in the run game, challenging much bigger blockers on his way to get to the ball carriers.
He takes the correct lanes and forces the ball carrier to confront him head-on or cut back into more traffic. Although he’s good in run support, Mukuba’s lack of size does create some limitations. He tends to get washed out by bigger blockers like tight ends. When he gets to the ball carrier, he will dive at his ankles instead of trying to bring the runners down, leading to missed tackles.
However, his size also allows him to be exceptional in coverage as both a deep safety and in the slot. In the slot, Mukuba proved that he could match opposing wideouts step for step.
Despite being a safety, Mukuba has fluid hips and can easily change directions. Combined with his speed, his ability to change direction allows him to match up with some slot receivers in man coverage. It’s not just man coverage; Mukuba is also excellent in zone. He can constantly process the routes and undercut them to make a play on the ball. As a result of his ball skills, he recorded five interceptions at Texas last season.
But Mukuba’s ball-hawking sometimes gets him into trouble. He can occasionally be overaggressive on jumping routes, allowing receivers to glide past him on double moves. Mukuba also has a similar problem in the run game, as he sometimes bites on play-action.
Mukuba must also add to his frame to play at the next level. Tight ends bully him at the line of scrimmage when he has to cover them.
He can also effectively play as a deep man. Mukuba covers ground well and makes plays on the ball. He tracks the ball almost like a receiver when it’s in the air and plays like a veteran in zone.
There are some concerns about Mukuba’s frame and size at the next level. However, his versatility and ball skills make him a perfect fit for what the Vikings are looking to do on defense. Mukuba’s ability to play at all three levels would offer Brian Flores’ defense another versatile chess piece. If the Vikings draft him, Mukuba can take time to learn from Harrison Smith, one of the best in the game, as he looks to take over a starting spot.