{"id":179755,"date":"2026-02-25T14:53:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/179755\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:53:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:53:09","slug":"bleacher-report-names-bizarre-dream-candidate-for-vikings-in-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/179755\/","title":{"rendered":"Bleacher Report Names Bizarre “Dream” Candidate for Vikings in Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"TexasDec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Do you consider the absolute dream candidate for the Minnesota Vikings a 3rd-Round cornerback? Probably not \u2014 but Bleacher Report does. BR\u2019s Gary Davenport picked a \u201cdream target\u201d for every team in this year\u2019s draft, and for Minnesota, that man is Texas\u2019s Malik Muhammad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s twitchy, competitive, and sticky in coverage, with the kind of edge Minnesota keeps chasing at corner.<\/p>\n

Muhammad would be a sweet addition, indeed, but few consider him Minnesota\u2019s top priority<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Muhammad Would Evidently Fit Brian Flores\u2019 CB Mold<\/p>\n

A curveball some eight weeks before the draft.<\/p>\n

\"MalikTexas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) lines up during College Football Playoff first-round action against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium. The young defender handled coverage duties in a high-stakes postseason matchup for Texas. Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA: Muhammad competed in the CFP spotlight as the Longhorns hosted Clemson. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

BR: Muhammad Is the Vikings\u2019 Dream Rookie<\/p>\n

Most opened Davenport\u2019s article expecting to find a running back like Jeremiyah Love or a cornerback like Mansoor Delane. But Davenport disagreed.<\/p>\n

On Muhammad as the Vikings\u2019 dream pick, he explained<\/a>, \u201cThe quarterback position in Minnesota will dominate the offseason conversation surrounding the Vikings, but if the team adds competition for J.J. McCarthy this spring, it will likely come via a veteran free agent. The Vikings were stout defensively in 2025, allowing fewer passing yards per game (158.5) than any team in the NFC.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the team has a potential issue on the back end\u2014outside of Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, the team\u2019s depth at the cornerback position is essentially non-existent. That should lead the Vikes to look to add a cornerback relatively early in this year\u2019s draft, and Malik Muhammad of Texas could be an intriguing target on Day 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Consensus Big Board<\/a> has Muhammad listed at No. 82 as of February 24th. A 3rd-Rounder. <\/p>\n

Davenport continued, \u201cA 6\u20190\u2033 188-pounder who spent the 2025 season matched up with opponents\u2019 No. 1 receivers, Muhammad has it all \u2014 size, speed, athleticism, fluidity in coverage\u2026you name it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe also has a background in track and basketball, which can\u2019t hurt at a position that involves a fair amount of running, jumping and whatnot.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Scouting Report<\/p>\n

Muhammad is 6\u20190\u2033 and 190 pounds. He played 41 games at Texas<\/a>, logging 97 tackles, 16 passes defended, and 3 interceptions. He also has youth on his side; he won\u2019t turn 22 until September. Muhammad is known for his versatility, twitchiness, and role as a defensive field general.<\/p>\n

NFL Draft Buzz on Muhammad<\/a>: \u201cMuhammad brings immediate value as a defender who can contribute in multiple packages from day one. What jumps off the tape is his natural feel for route distributions and ability to process passing concepts \u2013 he sees the game unfold with veteran anticipation despite his youth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching him navigate complex coverage assignments against elite SEC competition revealed a corner who rarely finds himself out of position and consistently plays above his experience level. His best NFL fit appears to be with defensive schemes employing pattern-match principles that maximize his instincts and football IQ.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that the Vikings are in the middle \u2014 hopefully near the end \u2014 of a severe drought in drafting cornerbacks. Ten years have passed since the franchise picked one of any round with staying power.<\/p>\n

NBD added, \u201cCoordinators who prioritize versatility in their secondary will appreciate his ability to execute both man and zone techniques with equal proficiency. While Muhammad doesn\u2019t possess elite length, he compensates with exceptional footwork and transitional quickness that lets him mirror even the craftiest route runners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe technical refinement he displays in press technique and zone spacing indicates a prospect who\u2019s been meticulously coached. The comparison that resonates when studying Muhammad is a young Marcus Peters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps the Value Is Really That Great<\/p>\n

Davenport must love Muhammad and his fit in Minnesota because it\u2019s not often that a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder pulls down \u201cdream\u201d draft candidate status a couple of months before the event.<\/p>\n

So, how would Davenport\u2019s assertion come true? Well, first, the Vikings would have to scoop Muhammad from Round 2 or 3<\/a>, fitting his current stock. Thereafter, if he immediately latched on as a starter and remained for longer than a few years, Davenport would be vindicated.<\/p>\n

\"MalikTexas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) wraps up Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Anthony Evans III (5) during second-quarter action at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium. The defensive play stopped the receiver short after a short gain in a key conference matchup. Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA: Muhammad secured the tackle along the sideline for Texas. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

The Vikings must also get into the habit \u2014 soon \u2014 of playing rookies. In the last four years, rookies don\u2019t often see the field in Year No. 1, with the exception of wide receiver Jordan Addison and guard Ed Ingram. For example, Minnesota drafted wideout Tai Felton in Round 3 last year; the guy barely played on offense as a rookie. <\/p>\n

If Davenport is correct, the Vikings grab Muhammad from Round 2 or 3, and he plays right away, fans will treat him like a supreme breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n

Other Dream Candidates<\/p>\n

How about real dream draft candidates for Minnesota? Here\u2019s a look at Round 1 rookies who would bring tremendous joy to the fan base if they [somehow] fell to Pick No. 18:<\/p>\n

Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)<\/p>\n

Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)<\/p>\n

Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)<\/p>\n

\"LorenzoOhio State Buckeyes cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. (3) celebrates with linebacker Sonny Styles (0) after returning a punt for a touchdown during third-quarter action against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium. The brothers shared the moment on the sideline after the special teams score energized the crowd. Nov 15, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA: Styles finished the return with a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

Downs, Love, and Styles live in a category of their own; they\u2019re virtually guaranteed to be gone by Pick No. 18. Delane would turn heads, as he\u2019s considered the top corner in the draft.<\/p>\n

The NFL Draft<\/a> is about eight weeks away. <\/p>\n

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