Among the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie class, second-round pick Andrew Mukuba stands out as the most likely to make an immediate impact on the field. Selected 64th overall in April’s NFL Draft, the Texas product has already shown promise with his range and coverage skills, which align perfectly with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s vision for his safeties. During the first offseason OTA practice open to reporters, Mukuba saw significant first-team reps alongside Sydney Brown, with Reed Blankenship absent, and also worked with Tristin McCollum and Lewis Cine as Fangio and secondary coach Christian Parker evaluate their options in the secondary.
However, despite his on-field potential, Mukuba remains unsigned, a situation that has sparked unease among Eagles fans. While the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has largely eliminated rookie holdouts, the delay in Mukuba’s contract is part of a broader trend affecting the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Currently, 30 of the 32 second-round picks remain unsigned, an unusual situation driven by a significant shift in contract negotiations.
The root of this delay traces back to the Houston Texans, who set a new precedent by signing Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins, the 34th overall pick, to a fully guaranteed contract—the first of its kind for a second-round selection. This move paved the way for UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the first pick of the second round by the Cleveland Browns, to also secure a fully guaranteed deal. Now, other second-round picks are holding out, hoping to push the full-guarantee trend as far down the draft order as possible.
For Mukuba, the last pick of the second round at No. 64, a fully guaranteed contract is unlikely. The NFL’s slotting system for rookie contracts typically dictates terms based on draft position, and the full-guarantee trend is expected to taper off well before reaching the bottom of the round. A more realistic target for Mukuba and his representatives could be a deal similar to last year’s contract for Houston offensive tackle Blake Fisher, selected at No. 59, which included full guarantees for three of the four years.
Meanwhile, first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, selected 31st overall, also remains unsigned, though his situation is less concerning. Recovering from March labrum surgery with an uncertain timeline for clearance, Campbell is expected to secure a fully guaranteed contract, as is standard for first-rounders. Any delays in his signing are likely due to negotiations over offset language or bonus timing, issues that often arise later in the first round.
As the Eagles work to finalize their rookie contracts, Mukuba’s early reps with the first team signal his potential to be a Day 1 contributor. However, until the second-round contract landscape becomes clearer, fans may need to wait a bit longer for the promising safety to officially sign on the dotted line.