Getting set for the final preseason game of his rookie campaign, Chicago Bears cornerback Malik Muhammad could come out of this one a massive winner.
Already, he looks like the favorite to start at nickel for this Bears defense. With Kyler Gordon still out due to a lingering injury, Chicago has scrambled to try to figure out a worthy replacement. So far, so good. Muhammad looks like the best-possible candidate.
When he takes the field against the Tennessee Titans, Muhammad might end up facing his toughest challenge to date, though.
I recently spoke with FanSided's Titans expert, Justin Melo of Titan Sized, and asked him specifically what kind of challenge he believes Muhammad could have laid out for him in the preseason finale.
The Titans present underrated challenges in the slot for Bears nickel Malik Muhammad
"If the Titans play their starters, slot wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson would definitely give Muhammad a challenge," Melo told me. "The Titans expect Robinson to catch a ton of balls this year. Alternatively, Xavier Restrepo could also be a tough cover for Muhammad."
Wan'Dale Robinson signed with the Titans this offseason after beginning his career as a first-round pick with the New York Giants. Tennessee paid him on a four-year, $70 million deal after he put up back-to-back seasons with 90 or more receptions in New York.
Robinson stands just 5-foot-8, 185 pounds and possesses a quick and shifty skill set. It'll be quite the matchup with Muhammad, who stands four inches taller and weighs right around the same. Muhammad is the bigger guy, obviously, but he's also physical in style.
Keeping up with Robinson might be a challenge for Muhammad, but the rookie's speed is right there with the vet. Both have right around 4.4 speed. Robinson's footwork certainly takes the cake between the two of them, though, which puts Muhammad behind the eight-ball a bit.
Xavier Restrepo is also one to keep your eye on, whose shiftiness and footwork has shined over his first two years with the Titans. Although he's more of a practice squad player, his change of direction will be plenty enough to challenge Muhammad.
We could find out real quick if Muhammad is ready to take over the starting nickel spot if either of these Titans receivers plays. His skill set might be better for covering the bigger receivers or even tight ends, but if he can match up and go toe-to-toe with Tennessee's shifty slot wideouts, he'll be able to cement himself as the team's starter.
The best-case scenario for Muhammad is to come out of this game with the Titans having specifically made a handful of quality plays. If he is able to put good reps on film and for the healthy majority of his snaps, then fans may feel a little less panicked over the Bears' current secondary issues.
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Solidifying the slot job was something that felt like a tall task when Gordon's injury concerns blew up, but Muhammad has the opportunity to provide some resolve.
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