The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Malachi Fields NFL Draft Profile.
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Position: Wide Receiver
School: Notre Dame
Size: 6-foot-4 1/2, 218 pounds
Class: Senior
2025 stats: 36 receptions, 630 receiving yards, 17.5 yards per reception, 5 touchdown receptions
Fields was a three-star recruit in the class of 2021 who decided to stay in-state to play for Virginia. He played a little bit as a freshman, catching 11 passes for 172 yards. The following season, he redshirted as he dealt with a foot injury. For the 2023 season, Fields broke out with 58 receptions for 811 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Virginia won just three games that season. In 2024, Fields hauled in 55 passes for 808 yards and five touchdowns. The Cavaliers won four games and Fields decided to transfer to Notre Dame for the 2025 season. In his final season, Fields had 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns. He led the Fighting Irish to a 10-win season.
Following the season, Fields has been preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Fields has tremendous size for an NFL receiver. He measured in at over 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, which makes him one of the bigger receivers in the class. His arms measured in at over 32 inches, which gives him solid length. Fields has a big catch radius and has built-in play strength that other players in the class can’t match.
He is a sure-handed receiver who can be trusted. Fields doesn’t have many focus drops, as he catches the easy ones and had just one drop in 2025. Fields can make catches off of his frame well, hauling passes in over smaller defensive backs. He also uses his body well to make contested catches, as he shields the ball from defenders well.
His run blocking is solid and stands out in this draft class. He uses his size, strength and length well to block when asked. Fields can sustain his blocks well and can be a weapon in the run game. His technique can improve, but his willingness and effectiveness stand out.
Fields doesn’t have great speed. He ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Fields is a bigger receiver so the below-average speed is understandable, but he won’t run away from defenders. He will have to win a lot of contested catches at the next level. When he does get big plays, it is more often because of him winning 50/50 balls than him separating.
His route-running could be more detailed and he can add more routes to his tree. Running more routes will diversify his game, but he can make sure to not round off routes. He will struggle getting in and out of breaks as a bigger player, but he can improve a bit more to separate against man coverage.
He can pick up some yards after the catch because of his size, but he isn’t a threat to make defenders miss. Fields doesn’t have the agility to juke defenders with consistent success. He also doesn’t have great speed to create big plays. His best bet for picking up yardage after the catch is to use his size against smaller defensive backs.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Fourth Round Pick
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