Despite stellar collegiate performance, Muhammad navigated Day 3 anticipation. Scouts weigh his elite traits against development needs as his NFL moment is here.
Malik Muhammad had been a standout cover cornerback with the Texas Longhorns since he starred at South Oak Cliff in Dallas, one of the state's best high school success stories over the last half-decade.
Now Muhammad is ready for his story to continue in the NFL. ... but that "story'' is surprisingly extending into Day 3 of this NFL Draft.
The 6-0, 180-pounder Muhammad was not chosen in the first three rounds of the selection process.
Now it's Saturday. His time was coming. His time is here.
The Chicago Bears have selected Muhammad with the 124th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Muhammad topped the list of Longhorns to watch on Day 3, with only Anthony Hill (to the Titans) taken so far entering Saturday.
That list: Muhammad, tight end Jack Endries, safety Michael Taaffe, EDGE Trey Moore, lineman DJ Campbell and cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau.
Muhammad was a three-year starter at Texas and registered 97 tackles, three interceptions, and 16 passes defensed in 41 career games with the Longhorns.
Last season, Muhammad only allowed two catches for more than 12 yards in an All-SEC campaign that projected him to be a Day 2, if not late Day 1 selection.
NFL scouts noticed that production and leadership on a program that reached back-to-back CFP semifinals. Muhammad received invites to official 30 visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills, with the New Orleans Saints also reportedly interested.
According to draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Muhammad's frame could use some work to officially become NFL ready, but the traits offer plenty of optimism for high-end production.
"Muhammad is a tall, skinny athlete with quality coverage-match talent," Brugler wrote in his cumulative preview piece, The Beast. "He doesn’t consistently play up to his timed speed, but he does show lateral agility and strain to stay attached to routes. He has athletic ball skills (looked outstanding during the gauntlet drill at the NFL combine), although I wish he took more chances to create turnovers. He is tough versus the run, although not always consistent."
That "timed speed" refers to the 4.42 Muhammad blazed at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this offseason, which could have given scouts a welcome surprise.
Where Muhammad's game excels most, however, is between the ears. He's seen a lot of high-quality football in pressure-packed situations for the Longhorns, and his IQ should translate as well as any other cornerback prospect's as he enters his rookie season.
His time is here. He's heading to Chicago.