Malik Muhammad CB Texas |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #5 ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/06/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.42 seconds (78%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 09/14/2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #5 | |
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 03/06/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| Forty time: 4.42 seconds (78%*) | |
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 09/14/2004 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
| Overall Rating: | 84.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 69.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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67% |
| Run Defense: |
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76% |
| Coverage: |
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75% |
| Zone: |
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71% |
| Man/Press: |
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75% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#101
Position rank:
#21 (DB)
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| College Games: 40 College Snaps: 1913 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cam Smith - South Carolina |
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94% |
| Benjamin Morrison - Notre Dame |
|
90% |
| Caelen Carson - Wake Forest |
|
86% |
Drafted: ROUND: 4 - Pick Number: 124 (CHI)
Draft Profile: Bio
Malik Muhammad was a two-way standout at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, helping the program capture back-to-back state championships. As a senior he put up 60 tackles and 14 passes defended, returning an interception for a score in the title game. He also competed in track, posting marks of 43-6.5 in the triple jump and 18-8.5 in the long jump.A four-star recruit, Muhammad picked Texas and contributed right away as a true freshman in 2023, playing all 14 games with 31 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups. He scooped a blocked punt for a touchdown against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. As a sophomore he started all 16 games, recording 36 tackles and eight pass breakups against College Football Playoff competition including Michigan and Georgia's NFL-caliber receivers in the SEC Championship.
At the Combine, Muhammad ran a 4.42 forty with the best 10-yard split among cornerbacks. He measured in with 32 3/8-inch arms and posted a 39-inch vertical and 130-inch broad jump. His change-of-direction work and ball skills during on-field drills confirmed what Texas fans already knew about his athletic profile.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Fluid hips and smooth transitions let him stay in phase through the route stem and break.
- Zone eyes are advanced for his age; reads quarterback intentions and triggers downhill with conviction.
- Combine-verified speed and burst give him the recovery ability to survive occasional missteps.
- Comfortable in press, off, and bail techniques within Texas' multiple coverage schemes.
- Willing and competitive run support defender who sets edges and plays with physicality.
- Arm length (32 3/8") and catch radius show up at the catch point when he is in position.
- Proven against top competition in the SEC and College Football Playoff without shrinking from the moment.
- Special teams contributor with the speed and effort to be an asset in the kicking game early on.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Tackling technique is inconsistent; tends to shoulder-charge rather than wrap and finish.
- Ball production has not matched his coverage ability; deflections have not turned into picks.
- Light frame at 182 pounds raises durability questions against physical receivers at the next level.
- Can open hips prematurely on vertical routes, giving free releases to savvy wideouts.
- Play-action can pull his eyes into the backfield and create windows behind him.
Scouting Report: Summary
Muhammad's combine performance answered the one lingering question about his candidacy: how the athleticism would test in a controlled setting. A 4.42 forty with the best 10-yard split in the cornerback group confirmed the burst and acceleration visible on his Texas tape. A 130-inch broad jump at the 92nd percentile adds another data point to what the film already suggested. His 32 3/8-inch arms give him the reach to compete on the boundary, and the on-field drills showcased change-of-direction ability and ball skills that separate him from the stiffer corners in this class.His best fit is in a defense that leans on pattern-match zone concepts while still asking its corners to play man on isolations. Muhammad handles both, but his processing speed and instincts are most dangerous when he can read the quarterback's eyes and break on throws. The technical foundation from Texas' coaching staff gives him a head start on adjusting to NFL route trees and timing concepts. He is comfortable operating as a boundary corner, and the arm length should ease concerns about his frame holding up outside.
The weight is worth watching. At 182 pounds he will need to add mass without sacrificing the speed and fluidity that define his game. But the combine showed a player whose athletic testing backs up his film, and the coverage ability was already good enough to hold up against SEC competition as a sophomore. He does his best work quietly, taking away his side of the field without generating splash plays. For a coordinator who values technique, versatility, and competitive toughness over interception totals, Muhammad fits the mold of a long-term boundary starter.
Malik Muhammad percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Malik Muhammad (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
82.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.