The Philadelphia Eagles stayed true to their identity during the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting safety Andrew Mukuba with the 64th overall pick in the second round. General manager Howie Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio all emphasized one key point: Mukuba plays like a true Philadelphia Eagle.
Roseman described Mukuba as a player who “checked all the boxes” — highlighting his physicality, relentless effort, playmaking ability, and football instincts. “He plays with the mentality you want,” Roseman said. “He plays an Eagles brand of football.”
Mukuba, who spent his first three college seasons at Clemson before transferring to Texas, impressed scouts with his versatility, toughness, and knack for forcing turnovers. At Texas, he led the SEC with five interceptions, showcasing his ability to create big plays in key moments — a trait the Eagles highly value in their safeties.
Competition and Fit in the Eagles’ Secondary
Andrew Mukuba is expected to immediately compete for a starting spot alongside Reed Blankenship, battling 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown during training camp. Philadelphia prioritized adding competition at the safety position and felt Mukuba’s talent and mindset made him the right choice, even considering a potential trade back before ultimately deciding to stay and select him.
Mukuba’s ability to play multiple roles — covering the deep middle, shell coverage, or dropping down into the box — fits perfectly within Vic Fangio’s flexible defensive scheme. “This guy can run, hit, and he’s constantly thinking about the ball,” Roseman explained. “That’s the kind of player we need in Philadelphia.”
Addressing Concerns About Size
At 5-foot-11½ and 185 pounds, Mukuba will be one of the smaller starting safeties in Eagles history, drawing some concerns about durability at the next level. However, his physical playing style and college durability — appearing in 50 of 56 games — helped ease those worries. Roseman acknowledged the risk, noting, “It’s a physical game and injuries happen, but this guy’s been durable and he’s a heck of a player.”
A History of Successful Second-Round Safeties
Philadelphia has a strong track record of finding star safeties in the second round, including Pro Bowlers like Wes Hopkins, Michael Lewis, and Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. The Eagles are hopeful Andrew Mukuba can continue that tradition, bringing his high-energy, ball-hawking mentality to a secondary looking for new leaders.
Roseman summed it up best: “I think our fans are going to love his play style. It jumps off the tape.”
