Bears Mid-Round Pick Dubbed ‘Steal of Draft’ Could Have Major Impact

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The Bears traded up to No. 124 in the fourth round for Muhammad.

The Chicago Bears may have quietly landed one of the best value picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.

General manager Ryan Poles drew strong praise for selecting Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the fourth round.

One evaluator called the selection “a great pick,” noting Muhammad “was one of the best remaining players on the board.” Others have taken it a step further, labeling him a potential “steal of the draft.”

That kind of buzz is notable for a Day 3 pick. But in this case, it lines up with both the talent and the situation.

For a team that entered the offseason with clear questions in the secondary after key departures, Muhammad could have a real chance to make an impact sooner than expected.

Malik Muhammad Could Push for Early Role With Bears

Cornerback was an underrated need for Chicago heading into the draft.

With Nahshon Wright no longer in the picture after departing to the Steelers and inconsistent play from Tyrique Stevenson, the depth chart remains unsettled.

That creates a real opportunity.

Muhammad steps in with a strong profile as a long, athletic corner who thrives on anticipation and discipline. He committed just two penalties last season and consistently stayed in position.

According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 8.0 yards per catch and held opposing quarterbacks to a 57.8 passer rating when targeted.

He may not be known as a ball hawk, but his ability to limit big plays stands out.

Given the lack of proven depth, it would not be surprising to see him push for meaningful snaps early in his rookie season.

‘Steal’ Label Backed by Value and Traits

Part of what’s driving the “steal” label is where Muhammad was selected.

Some projections had him coming off the board as early as the second round, making his fourth-round selection a strong value for Chicago.

He also backed that up during the pre-draft process.

Muhammad ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash while posting a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-10 broad jump. Those numbers reflect the explosiveness that shows up on tape.

At 21 years old, he still has room to develop, especially in man coverage within Dennis Allen’s system.

But the tools are clearly there.

The presence of defensive backs coach Al Harris only adds to the optimism, given his track record of developing young players.

For most fourth-round picks, expectations are limited.

In this case, that may not apply.

Muhammad landed in a situation with opportunity, and if he takes advantage of it, the Bears may have found one of the biggest steals of their entire draft class.