Not the three seasons left on his Philadelphia Eagles contract, not the dollar signs, not his hopes of lining up for his first NFL snap.

So little, that the letters NFL might as well stand for not for long.

One thing guaranteed to Eagles officials is Mailata's untapped talent.

They are committed to moulding this freakishly talented ball of clay from a junior rugby league star into a bona fide offensive tackle in the NFL.

Mailata is dealing with a back issue as the Eagles prepare to open their NFL campaign against the Washington Redkins in Philadelphia on Monday morning (AEST).

Yet the 22-year-old remains determined to earn a start as he enters the second year of his four-year contract worth about $2.5 million - of which just his $89,392 signing bonus was guaranteed.

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Such is the cutthroat nature of the NFL, Mailata is refusing to take any of it for granted as he sets his sights on his first start after bouncing back from an injury that left him sidelined late last season.

"For me, this is unofficially my contract year. That's how I'm treating it," Mailata said.

"I'm treating this as my last year and I need to earn a new contract this year. I need to come with full force, unleash and focus on what I need to be doing.

"[My first year] was surreal. It made me appreciate everything I have and the opportunity I have before me. Trying to learn the sport is one thing, but being there and being a part of an organisation such as the Eagles is something you don't come by very often in your life.

"It's just been unreal for me to have the mentors and the teachers I have in my corner at the Philadelphia Eagles. They're trying to teach me every day, trying to make me better, trying to build up my craft so I can try to cement myself in this league.

"It's been an awesome journey so far but this is just the beginning."

At first Mailata was a curiosity. In the blink of an eye, the 203cm, 157 kilogram youngster had turned into a Youtube sensation that had NFL executives inviting him to the league's international pathway program.

The 21-year-old rose to prominence in the United States when videos of him terrorising defensive lines for the South Sydney Rabbitohs' under 20s team went viral.

The Canberra Raiders needed three players just to slow Mailata down - and he still got the offload away. Soon after another three were trying to stop him and he crashed over to score.

Three defenders was usually the order of the day to bring the giant to the ground, but when the roles were reversed it was always one-on-one with the young man in cardinal and myrtle standing tall.

The NFL quickly became a genuine possibility, so Mailata's brother had him racing to Johnny Bigg for a jacket and shoes. Store staff knew nothing of him, but there he was on draft day in their attire.

Whether that dominance of an under 20 rugby league competition can transition into the rigours of professional American football remains a source of intrigue.

Much like it does for Valentine Holmes, who will hone his craft on the New York Jets' practice squad via the NFL's international pathways program after turning his back on rugby league to chase a dream.

For no longer is Mailata the shiny new toy on the Eagles roster. Andre Dillard is now blocking his path to succeed Jason Peters at left tackle and his effortless polish suggests the Australian still has a lot of ground to cover.

Mailata has been assigned to right tackle this year as both he and Eagles staff consider just what is realistic for him this year, just what is the measuring stick for success or failure come the end of the season.

Rest assured Mailata knows he has a lot to learn, and he is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to become an NFL starter.

"I didn't expect to get that kind of response, and when I got it, you just appreciate where you've come from and all the hard work you did while you were there," Mailata said.

"It was crazy, the response I got from everything and everyone there, it was really awesome. I got big raps. Everyone has their opinions on what positions they want you to play .

"But at the end of the day, I've just got to listen to what I'm being told by my coaches, and what my players ask of me.

"I'll do all I can to try to make the team better."