RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Philadelphia Eagles didn't draft Andrew Mukuba because he plays it safe. They drafted him because he has a knack for finding the football. Throughout his collegiate career, he consistently flashed the instincts that defensive coordinators covet.
He diagnoses plays quickly, closes on the football with confidence, and has shown he can capitalize on mistakes by forcing turnovers. Those splash plays helped establish him as one of the more intriguing safeties in his draft class.
Big plays, however, only tell part of the story. Mukuba will be asked to lead the Eagles' safety room . Still, for all of his promise, two concerns have followed him from his NCAA days into the NFL. One is something he can improve. The other may never completely disappear.
Andrew Mukuba's issues in coverage remain a big question
Mukuba's instincts as a run defender have rarely been questioned. He's willing to attack downhill, support the run, and deliver physical tackles in space. Coverage has been a different story. Whether matching receivers in man coverage or maintaining discipline in deeper zone responsibilities, consistency has remained elusive.
At times, Mukuba appears to anticipate routes rather than react to them, allowing receivers to create separation downfield. The result is a player capable of producing momentum-changing turnovers while also surrendering explosive plays.
That's a difficult balance for any defense to live with. Fortunately for Philadelphia, coverage technique is one aspect of a player's game that coaching can improve. Improved route recognition, cleaner footwork, and greater familiarity with NFL concepts could help Mukuba become a more complete safety over time. The raw ability has never been in question. His other fatal flaw... Well... That presents a much greater challenge.
What's to be made of Andrew Mukuba's durability issue?
Mukuba's injury history dates back to his college career. Then came his season-ending fractured fibula and ankle that ended his rookie season. While injuries don't automatically predict future health, availability becomes part of a player's evaluation when significant injuries keep appearing on the resume.
Unlike coverage technique, durability isn't something coaches can correct during practice. The Eagles can manage workloads, emphasize conditioning and hope for better fortune, but ultimately, Mukuba must prove he can remain on the field over the course of a full NFL season .
Those questions recently resurfaced when Pro Football Focus included the Eagles star among 10 make-or-break players on NFL contenders , pointing to both his run defense and his struggles in coverage while emphasizing how much Philadelphia needs him to develop into a dependable starter.
"(The safety room) desperately needs Mukuba to dominate... No Eagles safety earned even a 60.5 grade (in 2025)... While Mukuba proliferated his strong run defense from his days at Texas, his coverage wasn’t satisfactory: Mukuba’s 46.9 PFF coverage mark was the 11th-worst among qualified safeties. The rookie also allowed a 117.7 passer rating when targeted."
Mukuba's ceiling remains easy to envision. Playmakers with his instincts don't come around often. Whether he ultimately reaches that ceiling may depend less on his ability to force turnovers and more on his ability to become a steadier presence in coverage while proving he can stay healthy for an entire season.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Two concerns Andrew Mukuba must overcome to lead Eagles’ secondary
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