Eagles rookie is one step closer to taking starting job at training camp

It's easy to see how Philadelphia Eagles fans can get so hyped over rookie second-round pick safety Andrew Mukuba after his stellar play in the loss to the Cleveland Browns in the preseason. That is starting to reflect on the practice field as well.

Bleeding Green Nation Eagles reporter Brandon Lee Gowton, in his latest training camp observations article, discusses the starting safety position alongside Reed Blankenship and how it looked. It appears that the Eagles' defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, wanted to see more Mukuba with the first team.

"Sydney Brown was the first first-team safety up next to Reed Blankenship in team drills. But Andrew Mukuba rotated in and took a lot of reps with the starters. Guessing we’ll see both Brown and Mukuba play on Friday night. The safety battle could be decided over these next several days."

Can Mukuba win the Eagles' starting safety job?

There was not a lot to get excited about for the Eagles in their 22-13 loss against the Browns on Saturday, but Mukuba was the only (and possibly only) bright spot for the team. He had a 75-yard pick-six off of Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel and recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to a field goal.

Mukuba's play-making abilities were the only reason the Eagles lost by nine and not by more. In a game where the offense had just 88 total yards, it was Mukuba who carried the team to a closer loss.

When it comes to the safety position, Mukuba and Brown are battling for that starting job. Mukuba has only played in one game and looked fantastic in it. Brown hasn't played poorly at all, and he's been solid, showcasing his physicality on the field.

This position battle will be decided at the last second as both guys have played well. It's hard not for Eagles fans to cheer on Mukuba, though, as he might be the next C.J. Gardner-Johnson.