Eagles rookie has a 'rare' trait that most rookies don't have.
PHILADELPHIA — It’s not often an NFL player accomplishes something that he didn’t already achieve at the high school or college level.
But that’s exactly what rookie safety Drew Mukuba did on Saturday in his Eagles’ debut.
During the second quarter of the team’s 22-13 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field, Mukuba intercepted quarterback Dillon Gabriel and ran it back 75 yardsfor the first pick six of his career. He put his arms in the air and sprinted around the back of the end zone to celebrate.
Reporters swarmed Mukuba’s locker after the game, and he spoke with a big smile on his face. He had every reason to be happy.
“That was my first ever pick six, so that was a great feeling,” Mukuba said. “But I was just in the right position, read my assignment, read my keys, got a run-pass key. Then I was right there where the quarterback was looking at, and I was surprised he was throwing it because I was literally right there. So he ended up throwing it. And as soon as I caught it, I already had (it) in my mind that I got to get in the end zone. So I was able to do that.”
The last time Mukuba almost had a pick six was against Florida in 2024. There was a bunch of space in front of him, but he was unable to outrun the wide receiver and was dragged down from the side.
It took a while to get his first one, but he could have a bunch in his NFL career. Him having great instincts is one of the reasons the Eagles drafted him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
During his final collegiate season (2024) at Texas, Mukuba was always in the right place, at the right time. He led the Longhorns with five interceptions.
Mukuba could do the same thing for the Eagles’ defense, and it’s needed after the team traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason (Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions last year).
It’s also the skill that could help him win the starting job over Sydney Brown. Like most rookies, Mukuba will have some bad moments — he gave up an 18-yard catch to Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman on the same drive as his pick six — but he has the upside to be a difference maker.
“That’s a feeling that I want to have all the time,” Mukuba said about his touchdown. “There’s going to be many more, for sure, to come. That was a great feeling to be honest with you, with the crowd behind me, me making a play. Obviously, the feeling of helping the team get the lead.”
Finishing with more interceptions was a priority for Mukuba last year. He only finished with one interception in his first three seasons at Clemson — not good enough for his standards.
“I always thought that he has a knack for the football,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “(From watching) how he practices, watching his tape whether it was at Clemson or at Texas … he has the ability to take the ball away as a playmaker. Any time you go out there and make a play, that’s big."
Mukuba later dove to the ground and recovered Gabriel’s fumble on a bad handoff.
After each turnover, Mukuba’s teammates embraced him. It was a big moment for the rookie, but nobody was surprised with his performance.
“He’s just a natural born football player, honestly,” Eagles backup safety Tristin McCollum said about Mukuba. “He’s really, really smart and very, very savvy. And as a rookie, that’s sometimes rare to get. ... He has the athleticism, but really the thing that sets him apart is just his instincts. ... He has a very good knack for just playing the safety position in general. He’s going to shine in this league.”
“When we are in the meeting room, (Drew is) very attentive, he’s going to ask questions, and when we get out on the field, it’s all go,” Eagles rookie cornerback Mac McWilliams added.
Despite making the best play of the day, Mukuba was still critical of his performance. He only gave up that one catch to Tillman, but it was preventable.
“I should have noticed where my help was at, I should have kept my leverage, knowing that all my help was inside...,” Mukuba said. “I overplayed it a little bit, got on top of the route to where he was able to push off at the top of the route and get over (top). I could have just stayed lower a little bit and used my help.”
Since returning from the shoulder injury last week, which caused him to miss three practices and be limited for three more, Mukuba has struggled some days.
He also couldn’t play in last week’s preseason game either, losing more valuable time. At that point, it seemed like Mukuba wasn’t going to be ready to make an impact in Week 1.
But playing well against the Browns boosted his confidence and could be the turning point of his summer. He could carry that momentum over to next week’s practices and lock up a starting spot. Being consistent will be the key.
“Just looking back on my notes that I take throughout the week,” Mukuba said about his process. “Going over the plays and making sure I’m doing everything that I got in my notes, making sure my eyes are in the right place, making sure the communication is right and loud. And that’s really about it, man.”
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Category: General Sports
