PHILADELPHIA — The City of Brotherly Love is buzzing, and it’s not just the cheesesteaks sizzling. On April 25, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles snagged Texas safety Andrew Mukuba with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft, a move that’s got analysts sharpening their pencils and splitting hairs. The verdict? It’s a mixed bag, with draft grades ranging from high-fives to head-scratching shrugs, all based on hard data from scouting reports and team announcements.
Mukuba, a 5-foot-11, 186-pound defensive back, brings a resume that pops. He spent three years at Clemson before transferring to Texas for the 2024 season, where he racked up 69 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. His 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February 2025 turned heads, showcasing the speed that makes him a ballhawk in the secondary. The Eagles, perennial contenders with a knack for bolstering their defense, saw Mukuba as a versatile piece for their backfield, capable of playing deep safety, slot, or even closer to the line.
But not everyone’s sold. Some draft analysts pegged Mukuba as a solid but not spectacular pick. His size—smaller than the prototypical NFL safety—raised eyebrows, with concerns about how he’ll hold up against bigger receivers or in run support. A consensus big board from February 2025 ranked him 72nd overall, while NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah slotted him at 76th, suggesting the Eagles might’ve reached slightly at 64. One major scouting report noted his instincts and quick reads but flagged his occasional over-aggressiveness, which led to missed tackles in open space during his Texas tape.
On the flip side, others are calling it a home run. Mukuba’s knack for creating turnovers—those five picks in 2024 didn’t come cheap—fits the Eagles’ aggressive defensive scheme under coordinator Vic Fangio. His 508 snaps as a deep safety, 129 in the box, and 71 in the slot last season show a Swiss Army knife versatility that Philly loves. One prominent draft outlet gave the pick a glowing grade, praising Mukuba’s ability to “mix it up” near the line despite his lighter frame, projecting him as a Day 1 contributor in sub-packages.
The Eagles’ front office, led by GM Howie Roseman, stayed mum on the grades but doubled down on their choice. In a press release on April 25, Roseman called Mukuba “a playmaker with elite ball skills” who’d compete for a role alongside veterans like C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Head coach Nick Sirianni, speaking at a draft-night presser, hinted at Mukuba’s fit in a defense that thrives on disguising coverages and forcing quarterbacks to second-guess.
As the dust settles, Philly fans are left parsing the numbers. Mukuba, born in December 2002, is 22 years old, young enough to grow into a starter but seasoned with four college seasons under his belt. His final year at Texas included a forced fumble and a standout performance against Oklahoma, where he snagged two picks. Yet, some scouts point to his 2023 Clemson season—only one interception and spotty tackling—as a red flag for consistency.
The 2025 draft, held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, saw 257 players selected over three days. Mukuba was the eighth safety off the board, following first-rounders like Georgia’s Malaki Starks and Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa. The Eagles, who finished 11-6 in 2024 and fell to the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, also picked Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson in the first round, signaling a clear intent to retool their secondary.
For now, Mukuba’s grade depends on who you ask. Some see a steal—a dynamic defender who’ll thrive in Philly’s pressure-heavy system. Others see a gamble, a tweener whose size and occasional lapses could haunt the Birds. What’s certain is that Mukuba’s on the roster, and his first chance to prove the doubters wrong comes when training camp kicks off in July.