NFL analyst says Eagles rookie will outshine Travis Hunter in 2025

The Eagles might’ve struck gold in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

While the national media was laser-focused on Travis Hunter — the do-it-all phenom from Colorado taken No. 2 overall by Jacksonville — Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski dropped a bold prediction: Eagles rookie safety Andrew Mukuba could have a better rookie season.

Yes, seriously. And it’s not just hot air.

Eagles Found a Fangio Fit

The Eagles selected Mukuba with the 64th overall pick, and from the jump, it was clear Vic Fangio had a vision for him. Mukuba isn’t some raw project. He’s an instinctive, versatile, battle-tested safety who dominated in the SEC and fits Fangio’s system like a glove.

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This is a guy who started as a true freshman at Clemson in 2021 — a program that doesn’t hand out starting jobs. After three years of making plays there, Mukuba transferred back home to Texas, where he posted 69 tackles, five interceptions (tied for most in the SEC), and seven pass breakups. All while playing clean: zero penalties over his final 26 college games.

If you’re Fangio, you drool over that kind of production and discipline.

Mukuba Could Make an Immediate Impact for the Eagles

Sobleski called Mukuba a “wild card” to outperform Travis Hunter in Year 1. Not because Mukuba is a better athlete or more hyped prospect, but because he might be more NFL-ready for the role he’s stepping into.

In Fangio’s scheme, smart and rangy safeties thrive. Think back to Eddie Jackson in Chicago. Mukuba has that type of upside. He sees the play develop, attacks downhill without hesitation, and has the kind of sideline-to-sideline burst (he ran a 4.45 at the Combine) that lets him cover a ton of ground in a hurry.

While Hunter’s learning how to juggle life as a pro corner and part-time receiver, Mukuba is focused solely on locking down the back end of the Eagles secondary. And in a room that recently lost C.J. Gardner-Johnson, there’s a real opportunity for him to seize a starting role early.

The Eagles defense is loaded with young talent, and Mukuba could end up being one of the biggest difference-makers. He’s not flashy like Hunter, and he won’t be catching touchdowns, but he’s going to make plays that win games.

And if this prediction holds true, Howie Roseman will have done it again — finding a Day 2 gem who outperforms the so-called generational talent taken in the top five.

Andrew Mukuba might be the surprise of the Eagles’ rookie class — and maybe the entire 2025 draft.