Latest Eagles offseason buzz suggests they drafted another Cooper DeJean

While the Philadelphia Eagles have developed a reputation as a team that takes advantage of highly-touted prospects who fall below their projected spot in the NFL Draft. Howie Roseman took a bit of a gamble when he used the No. 64 overall pick

Just one year after the Eagles instantly turned their secondary into one of the best young units in the league by drafting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, it appears as though Roseman may have stumbled into yet another high-end starter.

Brooks Kubena of The Athletic notes that Mukuba has been taking first-team reps at safety as he competes with fellow youngster Sydney Brown. However, Mukuba has also been playing in the slot in dime packages next to DeJean, showcasing his versatility.

It's very rare for players who were chosen with the very last pick of the second round to become instant starters on a team that is fresh off winning a Super Bowl, but some of the early returns suggest that Mukuba could be the rare type of player who managed to check that box.

Andrew Mukuba starting at safety, playing in slot at Eagles offseason practices

Mukuba, who transferred to Texas after a long career at Clemson, led the SEC with five interceptions in 2024. Concerns about his tackling and physicality were overruled by his tremendous ability to cover ground in zone, which should appeal to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

The secondary lost some impactful playmakers this offseason. Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox left for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions, respectively, in free agency, while CJ Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Houston Texans. Safety might be the weakest overall position on the roster.

The Eagles have not been shy about putting their highly-touted rookies right into the lineup in recent years. After the success that Mitchell and DeJean had, it only makes sense for fans to expect a similarly meteoric rise from their much-ballyhooed second-round pick.

Mukuba doesn't need to be Brian Dawkins as a rookie, as their depth will give him enough of a cushion to learn on the job. However, Philly has proven to be a hotspot for developing quality defensive backs in the last few years, and Mukuba could be the next big name in the pipeline.