Chad Muma – Linebacker – 22 years – Senior – Wyoming
Cut : 1m91
Weight : 110kg
Estimated draft position: 2nd/3rd round
2021 stats (7 games): 142 tackles including 8 for losses, 3 interceptions, 2 Pick-6s, a sack and a half
NFL Comparison: Leighton Vander Esch
Strong points
– Plating machine
– Potential on coverage
– Leadership on and off the pitch
In a relatively rich and deep linebacker class, he is the one who often goes under the radar. It must be said that on paper, Chad Muma is not an extraordinary athletic phenomenon. It is this element in particular that made him a little scrutinized recruit upon leaving high school, leading him to join the “family” university, Wyoming. In the Mountain West, often physical and adept at running, the defender had the opportunity to. shine. Successor to Logan Wilson, now at the Cincinnati Bengals, on the Cheyenne side, Muma will first become the defensive leader of his program in 2020 before becoming the national leader in number of tackles last season (142). What allows the number 48 to shine are above all his instincts and his discipline. Muma knows how to read the game and above all finish the actions, with good placement and one of the most accomplished tackle skills on the board. Vocal leader and example in the game, the Cowboys player did not stop at his prowess on the run stop. Because he, the former defensive back, also knew how to stand out on pass coverage, being able to follow opposing tight ends (often famous in the conference, like Trey McBride, from Colorado State) and to be a playmaker in the aerial field, with two touchdowns on the three compiled interceptions.
Weak points
– Agility and relative athletic qualities
– Adapted physics?
Big, fast, smart… Chad Muma has quite a few advantages, but his athleticism and his changes of direction remain relatively unremarkable compared to the rest of the field, in a position that has become more and more demanding over the years. As when he left high school, it is undoubtedly this factor that will serve him the most. Many scouts also remain skeptical about the true cap of the player and the adversity faced, if only in 2021, with no real Power 5 program against the Cowboys. In this idea, we are entitled to wonder if his rather slender profile and his dueling technique can lead him to really progress over time, when the shocks are harsher.
The stat
8%: the percentage of missed tackles in his university career. As we said earlier: Chad Muma rarely makes empty moves and knows how to complete actions. He seems to be the best pure run stopper on this board.
Possible destinations
Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions
More side than it seems, Chad Muma will be a player adored by his coaching staff. A real sponge, the defender can be productive in stopping actions and performing quickly on three attempts. Admittedly, not everything will fantasize about his ability to be an All-Pro regular, but like Logan Wilson before him, Muma has notable potential to be a valuable starting player, who should, without too many surprises, hear his name spoken from the second draft day.
