Malik Muhammad

● Above-average height and length for the position ● Quickly gets up to speed out of turns ● Plant-and-go quickness for quick redirects ● Smart deciphering routes from off coverage, which allows him to stay on top ● Not shy throwing his hands to jam receivers backward at the line ● Did a nice job minimizing coverage penalties (just two in 2025: one pass interference, one holding) ● Has springs in his calves to elevate and make plays on the ball ● Triggers quickly as a run defender and looks to get busy ● Hates to come off the field (Muhammad after missing one game in 2025: “I feel like I let my team down.”)

● Narrow, linear frame, with below-average muscle mass ● Loses physical battles to bully receivers on perimeter ● Outstanding stopwatch time, but it doesn’t show up consistently on tape ● Struggles to make up lost ground once receivers gain a step ● Good hip mobility but tends to get upright in his pedal ● Can get back-shouldered by quarterbacks anticipating his aggression ● Willing but inconsistent tackling technique (tries to chop down instead of wrapping) ● Has some special teams experience but inconsistent blocking/jam skills

A starter for two-and-a-half years at Texas, Muhammad was an outside cornerback in former defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s zone-leaning scheme. Coming from a family of defensive backs, he took his talents to Austin, where he saw immediate action as a true freshman. He gave up his share of completions in 2025, but he also limited big plays (allowed only two catches of 12-plus yards) and earned All-SEC honors. Muhammad is a tall, skinny athlete with quality coverage-match talent. 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. Overall, Muhammad can be out-physicaled at times, but he plays with good reaction quickness and route instincts, which help him stay attached in man or zone. He projects as a starter, with shades of Greg Newsome II.