Eagles Grab CJ Gardner Johnson’s Replacement With 64th Pick

The Philadelphia Eagles left fans with a bunch of questions when they traded CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in March for Keyon Green. The Eagles would answer that spot in this draft. The 2025 draft was one of the deepest safety classes in recent years, with Starks, Watts, Emmanwori, etc.

The prospect that Philadelphia grabbed at the end of the second round is just as good as those guys and could be the best safety in the class. This guy had one of the biggest plays in this year’s College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.

The Philadelphia Eagles Select Andrew Mukuba with the 64th Pick

Mukuba is 22 years old and was a Third-Team All-SEC in 2024 at the University of Texas. While at Texas, Mukuba had 69 tackles, a team-leading five interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2024. Also, the transfer from Clemson ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash in the lead-up to this draft.

He plays the game exactly like Gardner-Johnson, as he has great ball skills at the position. Especially when you look at the game-sealing pick against Arizona State in the CFP. Mukuba also hits hard at the position, as Gardner-Johnson did for Philadelphia last year. GM Howie Roseman had another hit at the end of the second round, once again to help solidify the No. 1 defense with youthful energy. 

Final Thoughts

The Eagles once again showed everyone how it is done with drafting talent at the right positions and getting young when they need to with the Mukuba pick. As much as I loved having Gardner-Johnson as an Eagle, Mukuba will be another fan favorite at the position alongside Reed Blankenship. I’m looking forward to seeing Mukuba in Midnight Green for years to come! Total Apex Sports has even more NFL Draft coverage to come, so STAY TUNED!