On Friday, in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles may have found their replacement for departed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whom the team traded to the Texans in March when they selected former Texas safety Drew Mukuba with the 64th overall pick.
Eagles Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman talked about what he liked about Mukuba.
“It’s really hard to find cover safeties and guys who have the ability to come down and play over the slot, play in the middle of the field, have natural instincts, play the ball,” Roseman said. “He was a slot corner at Clemson before he transferred to Texas. He’s an Austin kid. He’s got ball skills. He plays with mentality, and this guy, he plays an Eagles brand of football. I think for us, the value fit the need right there. We felt like throughout this process, this guy just did everything, checked all the boxes, and that was really what we’re looking for from that position.”
Mukuba is listed at 6-0 186 pounds, which is on the smaller side for a safety in the NFL, but that does not concern Roseman.
“Obviously, it’s a physical game and injuries happen, but the guy’s been durable and he’s a heck of a player,” he said. “I think our fans are going to love his play style. I know that that’s what jumps off the tape to us. I know even after we’re doing it Coach– and of course Coach in his way, he was already looking at things he can help him improve on, and he had watched him a bunch of times before, but he’s like, ‘Look at this play, look at this play.’ And it’s just, he’s that kind of player who is a really fun watch and a really good player.
Mukuba, who met with the Philly media on Saturday, says he likes to watch guys his size to help him improve his game.
“I like to watch guys typically that’s my body type, body frame,” he said. “I can’t go watch– I mean I can watch it, but I can’t really do as much as guy that’s 6’3”. I watch the guys that’s my height, my size, kind of move the same and just kind of see what they do and just add it to my game to improve my game obviously. But being at this level, every little thing you can find to help you, you’re going to need it.
The 22-year-old, who spent the first three seasons of his college career at Clemson, spent the first nine years of his life in the African nation of Zimbabwe. According to him, there were some struggles, but he credits his parents for getting him through it.
“We struggled in some areas, but I like to credit my parents a lot,” Mukuba said. “I feel like they did a good job of making sure everybody was good, the family was good, obviously my siblings as well, so I like to give a shout-out to them. They did what they’re supposed to do for sure.”
Mukuba will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job opposite Reed Blankenship, and if he is ready, he could be a starter next season.
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