The Dallas Cowboys are targeting cornerback Malik Muhammad from Texas as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, with team owner Jerry Jones signaling the NFL will be gunning for the talented prospect, whose stock has risen sharply since the Combine.
The 22-year-old Muhammad impressed scouts by running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, ranking eighth among cornerbacks, and his combination of speed, agility, and experience at Texas makes him an attractive option for a Cowboys defense still in flux after offseason moves.
While the team added pass-rusher Rashan Gary, safeties Jalen Thompson and PJ Locke, and cornerback Cobie Durant, depth and reliability in the cornerback room remain a concern due to lingering questions about DaRon Bland‘s health and Shavon Revel‘s progress.
Reports indicate the Cowboys plan an extended two-day pre-draft visit for Muhammad, demonstrating serious interest in evaluating his character, technique, and ability to fit into Dallas‘ defensive schemes before committing a pick to him.
“I had a formal interview at the NFL Combine with the Atlanta Falcons,” Muhammad said. “I have a two-day visit with the Dallas Cowboys coming up. I’ve already met with the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers [virtually]. I’m actually scheduled to meet with the Panthers a second time. I met with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. Those are off the top of my head.”
While the Cowboys could still address cornerback in the first round, the team may target Muhammad in the third round with the pick obtained from the San Francisco 49ers in the Osa Odighizuwa trade, giving them flexibility to strengthen other positions while acquiring a high-upside defensive back.
If available in the third round, Muhammad would be viewed as a potential bargain, capable of contributing as a rotation player immediately and eventually challenging for a starting role, with upside to develop into a dependable NFL cornerback.
Cowboys player retires aged 29
Meanwhile, veteran linebacker Logan Wilson announced his retirement at 29 after a brief seven-game stint with Dallas, capping a six-year career that included stints in Cincinnati and a short tenure in Texas, leaving a gap at a thinly staffed position.
Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline for a 2026 seventh-round pick, Wilson was expected to stabilize the Cowboys linebacker unit, but after one start, 28 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup, he opted to retire rather than continue in a diminished role, freeing $6.5 million in cap space.
Wilson‘s decision reflects the harsh realities of the NFL’s middle class, where veterans without guaranteed money or starting roles can see opportunities vanish abruptly, especially in teams seeking cap flexibility and roster turnover to balance experience with youth.
For the Cowboys, Wilson‘s retirement leaves DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James, and Justin Barron as the primary linebackers, intensifying the need for depth and making draft acquisitions like Malik Muhammad increasingly vital to bolstering both the secondary and overall defensive versatility.
The combination of high draft targets and unexpected roster exits underscores the balancing act Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office face as they attempt to maintain competitiveness while navigating personnel uncertainties in 2026.
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