The Chicago Bears kept their draft machine humming on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and if the first two picks of Saturday are any indication, general manager Ryan Poles is on a mission to fortify the defense with high-upside, competitive players.
First, the Bears traded up five spots in the fourth round to select Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad with the No. 124 overall pick. Just over an hour later, they stayed on the defensive side of the ball, grabbing Arizona State middle linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. Both selections were announced on April 25, adding immediate athleticism and depth to a Bears defense that showed flashes in 2025 but needed more playmaking juice.
Here's the full breakdown of both picks, including what each player brings to Chicago and how they fit into the team's evolving defensive identity.
Malik Muhammad: A Ball-Hawk with Texas Pedigree
The first selection of the day for the Bears came with some wheeling and dealing. Chicago sent a late-round pick to move up five spots from No. 129 to No. 124, ensuring they landed Muhammad before another team could snatch him. That kind of aggressive maneuvering tells you everything you need to know about how the front office valued this player.
Muhammad, a two-year starter at Texas, brings a blend of stickiness in coverage and impressive ball production. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, he has the length that defensive backs typically covet on the outside but also shows the fluidity to play in the slot. In his final season with the Longhorns, Muhammad recorded four interceptions and 11 pass breakups, frequently targeting the deep third of the field where his range allowed him to make plays on 50/50 balls.
What stands out on tape is his ability to read quarterbacks. Muhammad doesn't just react to routes -- he anticipates them. That trait allowed him to jump multiple out routes and comeback patterns during his college career, turning potential completions into interceptions. The Bears' coaching staff will appreciate his willingness to play through the catch point aggressively, even if it occasionally leads to a penalty. The mentality is there; the refinement will come with NFL coaching.
From a schematic standpoint, Muhammad fits what the Bears want to do. He excels in both man and zone concepts, but his instincts are particularly valuable in zone-heavy schemes where he can break on the ball with conviction. He's also a willing, if not elite, tackler in the flat -- something the Bears value from their defensive backs after a season where missed tackles were a constant frustration.
The trade-up itself is worth noting. In a deep draft class at cornerback, the Bears didn't sit back and hope Muhammad fell. They identified their guy and went and got him. That suggests the team sees him not just as a depth piece, but as a potential Week 1 contributor in sub-packages.
Keyshaun Elliott: The Modern Middle Linebacker
If Muhammad brings finesse and anticipation to the secondary, Keyshaun Elliott brings thump and downhill attitude to the linebacker corps. The Arizona State product was selected by the Bears just minutes after the Muhammad announcement, and his skill set complements what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is building in the middle of the defense.
Elliott is a throwback-style middle linebacker with modern athletic traits. He's listed at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, and he plays every snap like he's chasing the last meal he'll ever see. During his time with the Sun Devils, Elliott was the heartbeat of the defense, calling plays and aligning the front. He finished his senior season with 108 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, showcasing his ability to get after the quarterback as a blitzer and his reliability against the run.
What makes Elliott particularly intriguing for Chicago is his coverage potential. While he isn't a sideline-to-sideline burner, he has enough lateral quickness to stay with tight ends in man coverage and the awareness to patrol the middle of the field in zone. In today's NFL, where running backs and tight ends are increasingly dynamic receiving threats, a linebacker who can hold his own in space is a necessity. Elliott checks that box.
He also brings a physicality that the Bears have been slowly cultivating. The team has invested heavily in defensive line talent in recent drafts, and adding a linebacker who can flow downhill and clean up behind them is a logical move. Elliott's best games came against top competition -- he was a standout against Washington and Oregon in 2025, showing he can rise to the moment.
What It All Means for the Bears
With two new defensive additions in the span of an hour, the Bears are sending a clear message about their priorities in this draft. After addressing offensive needs earlier in the draft with skill position talent, Day 3 has become all about defensive depth.
The Bears entered the draft with needs at cornerback and linebacker -- both spots where the team lacked proven depth behind the starters. Muhammad gives them a developmental boundary corner who can slide into the rotation immediately should injury strike. Elliott offers a similar value at linebacker, where he can compete for the starting middle linebacker job or serve as a core special teams player while he adjusts to the speed of the NFL.
From a roster construction perspective, these picks also reflect a philosophy of acquiring players with high character and strong football IQs. Both Muhammad and Elliott were team captains in college, praised by their coaching staffs for their work ethic, and come from programs that emphasize fundamentals. The Bears are building a culture and want players who will reinforce it from the moment they walk through the door.
The trade-up for Muhammad also hints at how the Bears evaluated the board. By moving up five spots and giving up a late-round asset, they essentially said, "We don't trust that any of the players we could get at our original pick will have the same impact as this guy." That's a confident front office at work.
Looking Ahead
Both players will be in Chicago for rookie minicamp in the coming weeks. For Muhammad, the focus will be on learning the defensive playbook and refining his technique at the line of scrimmage. For Elliott, the emphasis will be on adjusting to the speed of NFL offenses and continuing to develop his coverage skills.
Neither player is expected to be a Day 1 starter, but both have the tools to contribute by the midpoint of the season. In the grind of an NFL campaign, having rookies who can step in and play meaningful snaps without a major drop-off is a luxury. The Bears just gave themselves that luxury twice in one afternoon.
As the draft continues, keep an eye on whether Chicago continues to stockpile defensive talent or turns its attention to other areas of need. Either way, the first two picks of Day 3 suggest that Poles and company know exactly what kind of team they want to build.
And that team is going to be tough to play against.
