After three years with the Texas Longhorns, cornerback Malik Muhammad was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
While former Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman might have been the talk of Chicago's draft picks, Muhammad filled a glaring hole in the Bears' roster.
As Muhammad went through his first NFL summer, he rapidly emerged as a serious contender to earn a starting role during his rookie season in the Windy City. In fact, Anthony Miller of Bear Goggles On argued that Muhammad is actually Chicago's most important rookie this year.
"Muhammad is the most important Bears rookie on this roster because he might need to be great right away," Miller wrote while highlighting the issues with Tyrique Stevenson's play and Kyle Gordon's injury status. "The Bears might turn to Muhammad as a Day 1 starter and must play well if this team wants to take the next level and get to the Super Bowl.
With massive flaws and lingering injuries in the Bears' secondary, Muhammad has the incredible opportunity to become the team's CB1 during his first year in the league.
Former Texas CB Malik Muhammad could be rookie starter
While at Texas, Muhammad racked up stats every time he took the field, earning 98 total tackles (76 solo), 16 pass deflections, three interceptions, and one sack for the Horns. He even earned a touchdown on a punt return during his freshman season.
Also read: 'I had great mentors' Malik Muhammad praises former Longhorns at NFL Combine
Muhammad played alongside stars like Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe in the Longhorns' secondary, but was undeniably able to make a name for himself during his time on the 40 Acres. That's a big reason the Bears drafted him in the fourth round.
He became a starter as a true freshman and immediately made an impact at Texas. Now, he is poised to do more of the same in Chicago.
Yes, quarterbacks have made a talent of throwing to targets covered by rookie defensive backs because of their inexperience in the league. However, already standing at 6-foot-0 and 182 pounds when he was drafted, Muhammad has the size of an NFL veteran.
Not to mention the fact that Muhammad was tasked with covering some of the best wide receivers and tight ends in the country during his collegiate career, such as Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, Georgia's Oscar Delp, and more.
When you look at the issues that Chicago's secondary has had over the last few years and Muhammad's ability to quickly make himself a reliable star in the secondary, it's hard to deny that the former Longhorn is the Bears' most important rookie and was quite possibly the best steal of this year's NFL Draft.
Muhammad and the rest of the Bears are set to kick off their regular season on Sept. 13, with a game against the Carolina Panthers. However, a month earlier, Texas and Chicago fans alike could very likely see Muhammad in action in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on August 15.
Add us as a preferred source on Google