Bears rookie Malik Muhammad may already have a clearer path to snaps than expected

The Chicago Bears have finished the NFL draft so now the attention shifts to what kind of rookie seasons these players will have. Malik Muhammad fell in the draft because he is a bit thin for a cornerback. What are some similar outcomes to set expectations for him?

Realistic expectations for Chicago Bears rookie Malik Muhammad

Since 2012, there have only been 11 cornerbacks drafted between picks 100 and 150 that weighed less than 190 pounds. Muhammad will make the 12th in this group. That is not a big sample, but the good news is that there are some quality hits.

Tavon Young and Amik Robertson have turned into quality starters, and all indications are that Upton Stout will be a quality starter after a strong rookie season. Mekhi Blackmon, Clark Phillips, Kris Abrams-Draine, and Rashard Robinson have all been quality depth players. Nerehiam Pritchett, John Reid, Josiah Scott, and Damarion Williams did not have long careers, but some have flashed. Still, 27% of the players drafted in this range being quality starters, and 36% being quality depth pieces, shows that Muhammad has a good chance of living up to the value of his draft selection.

There's still a chance that Muhammad has impact this year. This group averaged 325 snaps played, about 29% of their team's defensive snaps. Also, nine of the 11 played over 100 snaps. To be fair, 100 snaps is about two games worth, and while Muhammad does not fit into the starting lineup, the injury status of Jaylon Johnson, combined with the unsteady play of Tyrique Stevenson, makes you think that two starts are on the table.

However, only five of the 11 starters have played three games or more, so the expectations to get on the field in a significant way are not sky high for Muhammad. The best news is that Muhammad does not even have to play and will still be given a chance next year.

Emulating Amik Robertson would be a great outcome for Muhammad, and he played 35 snaps as a rookie. Now, Robertson is a four-year starter with nearly 3,000 snaps played over a six-year career. If that turned into the career outcome for Muhammad, that would be great.

Still, given the shakiness of the room, if you were to bet whether he went over or under the 325 snaps, the odds are that he might end up playing a touch more than that.

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