Eagles’ Rookie Already Turning Heads, DeVonta Smith Reveals

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith can recognize dominant defensive back play when he sees it.

After all, Smith has forged a career as one of the ascending wide receivers across the NFL, posting 4,011 receiving yards with 27 touchdowns through his first four seasons.

So, when asked by reporters at his annual charity softball game in Allentown, it’s noteworthy that Smith singled out one Eagles rookie with a hard to pronounce last name as the draft pick who has impressed him most through OTA and minicamp practices.

“The guy from Texas? The safety?” Smith said, via Sports Illustrated.

That would be Eagles second-round draft choice, and former University of Texas standout Andrew Mukuba.

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Mukuba, 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, is very much in the mix to steal a starting safety job as a rookie, after intercepting five passes during his final season in Austin last fall an capping his collegiate career with a 69-tackle campaign.

Early returns from Smith have been positive on Mukuba’s work ethic, from watching him throughout the spring.

“Just seeing hm out there, seeing the way he moves around, things like that, the way he goes about his business,” Smith said, of Mukuba.