Malik Muhammad of the Texas Longhorns would like to join the Dallas Cowboys.
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Malik Muhammad of the Texas Longhorns would like to join the Dallas Cowboys.
Much can happen in the next few weeks as the Dallas Cowboys traipse the nation attending pro days, dining with prospects and holding meetings with players at the team facility. But we do know that, for now, at least, the Cowboys have the No. 12 and 20 picks in the first round, then they won’t pick again until pick No. 92 in the third round.
We also know that, barring a big surprise or a trade up (or down), the Cowboys will be looking to load up on defense, after a 2025 season in which they fielded one of the worst defensive units in the NFL. Dallas addressed some spots in free agency, adding pass-rusher Rashan Gary, as well as safeties PJ Locke and Jalen Thompson, and cornerback Cobie Durant, but still need a linebacker (or two) and more depth both on the edges and in the secondary.
One player they’ve showed significant interest in to help with that last part is Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad, who has a two-day visit with the Cowboys and would help to fix a cornerback room that was a disaster last year.
Cowboys Taking Malik Muhammad Would Be ‘History-Type Story’
From Muhammad’s perspective, too, coming to Dallas would be a boon. When he was asked about the Cowboys and the possibility of being draft to The Star, Muhammad’s enthusiasm was obvious. Not only did he play college ball less than three hours from Dallas but he played in high school for South Oak Cliff, just down the North Dallas Tollway from The Star in Frisco.
He said he knows a feel-good story when he sees one.
From the Texas pro day this week, Muhammad said, “It’ll mean everything, I mean, I grew up in Dallas. Played football in Texas. It’ll mean everything to get drafted by Dallas. And I got the resume for it, for it to be a huge, history-type story. ”
Malik Muhammad Slotted for Third Round
Certainly, Muhammad figures to be attainable for the Cowboys, a 6-foot, 182-pounder who could last until the third round because of a very deep cornerback class in 2026 and because of his very light frame. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the No. 105 prospect in the class and the No. 15 cornerback.
NFL.com’s four-round mock draft has Muhammad going in the third round, but at No. 76 to Pittsburgh, meaning he could be long gone by the time the Cowboys’ pick rolls around.
From NFL.com scout Lance Zierlein: “Muhammad has good coverage talent to offset his slender frame. He can man up from press or off and is a plus pattern-matcher, staying in-phase and shadowing break points. He displays outstanding vision and adheres to his zone-cover principles, allowing him to play with ideal efficiency on all three levels. … Muhammad has Day 2 talent and starter-level ability.”
Cowboys Willing to Take Offensive Star
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was one who was in attendance for the Texas pro day, and he has been getting his hands dirty with talent evaluation in the pre-draft process. He knows defense is the focus, but says Dallas won’t pass on potential offensive stars.
Schottenheimer told the team website: “You want to be prepared to do what we need to do on defense, but certainly we’re not going to pass on a great offensive player if they’re there at one of those spots… Last year was more of, yea, I saw the highlight film, the POAs, now I’ve seen game film. I’ve seen these guys compete. It makes it a little easier to help make that selection.”