Why Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields is surging back up 2026 NFL Draft boards

I was higher than most on Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields entering the season, giving him a late first-round grade and ranking him as the No. 3 receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Then came a quiet year statistically. He finished with just 36 receptions, and by the end of the season many analysts had cooled on him, projecting him as a Day 3 pick.

That changed in a hurry after the Senior Bowl. Fields turned in one of the most impressive performances of the week, with NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah calling him the top wide receiver at the event. Since then, outlets like Bleacher Report and Todd McShay have pushed him back into first-round conversations.

Upside and concerns

The appeal starts with his catch radius. At 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Fields brings ideal size for an outside NFL receiver and knows how to use it. He consistently wins in contested situations, hauling in 50 percent of his tight-coverage targets over the past two seasons. He also produced highlight-reel plays, including a one-handed grab over a Pittsburgh defender that showcased his body control and strength at the catch point.

Beyond that, his hands are among the most reliable in the class. He has just three drops over the past two seasons, largely because he attacks the football in the air rather than letting it get into his body. He also tracks the deep ball extremely well, which helped him average more than 17 yards per reception this season.

There are legitimate concerns, though. The production simply is not elite. He has never topped 58 catches in a season and is coming off his least productive year in three seasons. Notre Dame’s run-heavy offense plays a role, but true first-round receivers typically force the issue regardless of scheme.

Speed is the other question. Fields does not have true top-end burst, and his release against press coverage can be inconsistent. Without elite speed, scouts will wonder whether he can consistently separate from NFL corners.

I opened the year with a first-round grade on Fields. Even with the recent surge in buzz, I have him slotted in the second round right now. The physical tools and ball skills are obvious, and in the right offense he has the upside to become a true No. 1 option on the outside. That said, the modest production and questions about consistent separation keep me from moving him back into the first round at this point.