After trading down (via the Jaguars) minutes ago, the Panthers are accumulating more draft picks. They are sending No. 124 to the Bears. The Panthers will receive Nos. 129 and 144 for Nos. 124 and 166, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
The Bears used the pick on Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad. Over 41 games with the Longhorns, the 6-foot, 182-pounder logged three interceptions and deflected 16 passes. After notching a personal-best two INTs and totaling four PDs in 2025, Muhammad earned second-team All-SEC honors.
Muhammad entered the draft as the 104th-best prospect available, per Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com. Dane Brugler of The Athletic is more bullish on Muhammad, whom he ranked 87th overall coming into the draft. Muhammad has a chance to develop into a Greg Newsome-type starter, according to Brugler.
While Muhammad was a starter at outside corner during the majority of his Texas tenure, he may begin his pro career in a depth role. The Bears lost Nahshon Wright to the Jets in free agency, but they still have Jaylon Johnson as their No. 1 corner. Tyrique Stevenson is the frontrunner to start opposite Johnson, though Muhammad could compete for the gig.
Aside from a full season in 2024, Johnson has missed three or more games five times in his six-year career. He sat out 10 games last season. Meanwhile, after starting his career with back-to-back 16-game seasons, Stevenson was on the shelf four times last year. If their injury issues drag into 2026, Muhammad could see plenty of action as a rookie.
Bears wasted their round 3 picks on offense they don’t need. Looks like they are intent on moving Kmet now for someone cheaper 🙁
I’m certainly no NFL Draft savant. But those 3rd round picks are absolutely baffling. Poor Dennis Allen is wondering WTF!!!. Leaving potential depth players on the board in Round 3 who can help on the D-Line, Linebacker and secondary makes no sense. TE Sam Roush and WR Zavion Thomas are Part 2 of Adam Shaheen and Velus Jones. The Bears already have a player on the roster in Kalif Raymond who signed as a free agent from Detroit. Why draft a similar player on Thomas? More toys for the Mad Scientist Ben Johndon. Seems like a duplication of efforts. Possibly the Bears miss Ian Cunningham in the draft room and his well documented voice of reason. TE and WR should have been at the vey bottom. Like undrafted free agents.
Poles is saying he’s confident enough in his existing DL. That remains to be seen. The TE and WR picks were baffling. LB and DL were obvious needs. I’m not a Poles fan and honestly prefer Johnson making picks.