Malik Muhammad NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Chicago Bears CB

The Chicago Bears selected Texas CB Malik Muhammad with the No. 124 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

For those who love watching ultra-competitive, twitchy-man coverage corners who frustrate wide receivers, Malik Muhammad is a must-watch.

The former 4-star recruit entered 2025 with a big confidence boost after starting all 16 games for the Longhorns and playing alongside Jahdae Barron. While the ball production numbers aren't eye-popping, he was rarely tested as a junior. The former longhorn built a reputation as someone quarterbacks don't often want to throw at because his high-end athleticism, length at the catch point, and coverage versatility deter them.

Muhammad has the talent to play in a variety of defenses and will battle for a starting job right away.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in B/R's Scouting Department.

Highlights

Malik Muhammad highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Uses elite short-area footwork to mirror receivers movements in man coverage.

— Athletic ability shows up in his smooth backpedal and hip-sink to decelerate.

— His speed translates downhill against ball carriers and receivers as well as turning and running.

— Muhammad does a great job passing off route responsibilities in zone coverage.

— A willing run-defender who wants to be a physical player and deliver momentum-altering hits.

Areas of Improvement

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— Muhammad has room to add weight, which can help physically shed blocks in the run game and bring down bigger ball carriers.

— Start using more single hand-jam technique to not lock his hips in press coverage.

— Tends to bite on route movements quickly and is susceptible to double-moves and route nuance.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.7 (Key Contributor- 2nd round)

COMPARABLE GRADE:  Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington (7.7 in 2022), Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland (7.6 in 2023), CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (7.8 in 2025)

OVERALL RANK: 40

POSITION RANK: CB7

PRO COMPARISON: Nate Wiggins

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'0"

Weight: 182

Hand Size: 9 ⅞"

Arm Length: 32 ⅜"

Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.42

10-yard split: 1.51

Vertical: 39"

Broad: 10'10"

3 cone: N/A

Shuttle: N/A

Bench: N/A

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