By Ross Jackson
Safety may not be considered one of the biggest needs for the New Orleans Saints as the NFL draft approaches, but with the future of the position lightly in question, the team could look to invest. If the right player is on the board at the right time, New Orleans could potentially find a future starter at the position in the middle rounds.
One possibility is Texas Longhorns safety Andrew Mukuba. The athletic, ball hawking safety has a penchant for big plays and big hits. The Saints struggled to generate turnovers in the second half of the 2024 season and every team could use a young player that can energize their defense.
The Saints are already well-connected with Longhorns defenders thanks to an off-season staff addition. Former Texas defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach Terry Joseph is now on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff maintaining the role of defensive passing game coordinator.
Mukuba’s fit with the Saints
The Saints may not be looking for a starting safety right now, but an early investment at the position makes sense with a talented class in the 2025 draft. The Saints’ addition of Justin Reid this off-season certainly helps to advance.
They’re starting tandem alongside Tyron Mathieu. However, Mathieu’s contract was reworked this off-season to include playing time incentives, signaling some flexibility in his role and usage. The Saints should also do what they can to get ready for life after Mathieu, should the two split in the coming years.
Andrew Mukuba is a lightning quick, ball-hawking Safety who made the most of a Senior year spent in Texas. Along with an SEC-high 5 INT’s, Mukuba recorded 69 tackles & 7 PD’s in leading Texas to a Top 5 defensive ranking.#Texas #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/DwQ0dbUHZ5
— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) April 14, 2025
Mukuba’s 2024 Stats
- 69 combined tackles
- 4 tackles for a loss
- 5 interceptions
- 7 passes defended
- 2 forced fumbles
What makes Mukuba a good prospect
Joseph’s connection with Mukuba could certainly help, but the standout safety doesn’t need much help making an impression. He led the SEC with five interceptions in 2024, showcasing elite ball skills. Mukuba is also a force in run support, aggressively closing in from the third level to stop ball carriers. He plays with physicality and isn’t shy about delivering big hits—though that aggressive style can occasionally lead to missed tackles. Still, when he lands cleanly, it leaves an impact.
New Orleans felt they got a boost last season from a big hitting safety in Will Harris who signed away in free agency to join the Washington Commanders. Should they be interested in adding a similar spark, they could find one in Mukuba.
He’s got decent size for the safety position, if he can add some weight to his frame (5-foot-10 and 186 pounds) and plays a physical and versatile style of the game that would fit the identity of a Brandon Staley defense.
2025 Athletics Testing Results
- 40-yard-dash: 4.45 seconds
- Shuttle: 4.45 seconds
- 3-Cone: 7.15 seconds
- RAS: 5.12
2025 NFL Draft Projection
Mukuba is expected to be a day three selection, but could creep up into the third round depending on need. The Saints would ideally be in the mix for him at No. 112 or No. 131 overall.
