The Philadelphia Eagles have been on top of the football world since winning Super Bowl 59. With the focus being on 2025, the Eagles are using the NFL Draft as an asset to supplement the roster.
In the first round, they traded up one spot to take LB Jihaad Campbell, who was a Top-10 player on their board. The Eagles continued to add more difference-makers to the defensive side of the ball, as they nabbed Texas S Andrew Mukuba to close out round two.
The new addition of Mukuba is bad news for safety Tristin McCollum.
The #Eagles selected Texas S Andrew Mukuba at No. 64 to wrap up Round 2. pic.twitter.com/wK3vjNvULD
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 26, 2025
Eagles Draft Andrew Mukuba in 2nd Round
Since the Eagles traded Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans this offseason, there was a void in the safety room. McCollum was someone who would get the chance to potentially take the starting role but with Mukuba in the fold, it looks like he's in the driver's seat to be the starter in 2025.
McCollum played in 14 games for Philadelphia last season, logging 33 total tackles and two pass deflections. According to PFF, he had a 46.3 overall grade (155th among 171 eligible safeties) and a 43.4 coverage grade (154th among 171 eligible safeties). He struggled in his opportunities, which could have played a role in why the Eagles took Mukuba.
He has great instincts and plays with a ton of aggression. The Texas native will drop his pads low to make a tackle with great route recognition in coverage. Over 50 collegiate games, he had 212 total tackles, nine TFLs, 23 pass breakups, and six interceptions.
The 22-year-old has the skillset to be an instant impact player for the Eagles, which could spell bad things for McCollum.
The Eagles have a young secondary, led by Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship. The addition of Mukuba adds more juice to the group and gives another playmaker in the backend.