Second-round selections arrive with great expectations, especially when they land with a franchise such as the Philadelphia Eagles. A rabid fan base, a major media market, and unwavering designs of Super Bowl glory surround every single rookie in the city of brotherly love.
Such was the case with Andrew Mukuba, tabbed with the 64th pick of the 2025 draft by Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. The uber-athletic safety out of the University of Texas was targeted to start next to the reliable veteran Reed Blankenship.
And while the safety showed flashes of impressive potential, a big play here, a splash there, he left unanswered questions behind when he got knocked out of action with a fractured ankle and fibula in Week 12 against the Cowboys. There are improvements that must be made by Mukuba, and Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report honed in on the former Longhorn standout in citing every team's most important second-year player.
"The second-round pick is coming back from ankle surgery after that injury cost him a large portion of his rookie season. There were positive signs during that campaign, but we're still talking about a starter on a contender who posted the second-lowest PFF grade among qualified rookie safeties in 2025. The Eagles are hoping he can offer them some much-needed stability at safety."
Andrew Mukuba must clean up mistakes and step up in 2026
Mukuba, more than anyone else, knows full well he has to perform more consistently moving forward. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio knows what he wants and doesn't mince words, as Mukuba quickly found out last season.
The lapses in coverage were costly, and that lowly PFF grade in comparison to fellow rookie safeties simply has to become a distant memory for him. With his health back in a good place, the second-year man now returns to the starting unit with heightened responsibilities.
The departure of Reed Blankenship has other members of the secondary, including Cooper DeJean, eager to inherit more of a leadership role. Mukuba, just like DeJean, must now step up to fill that veteran void left behind by Blankenship.
Read more: Eagles' biggest remaining offseason tasks should have been done months ago
The raw talent is both rare and undeniable for Mukuba, but the rookie mistakes he fell victim to last season must be corrected. With great expectations comes great responsibility. Mukuba is the man to watch in this loaded Philadelphia secondary, and from all indications, he's ready to step up his game.
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