Malachi Fields Turns Heads at Senior Bowl, Boosts 2026 NFL Draft Stock
With the Senior Bowl underway and draft boards starting to take shape, one name is making a serious push up the rankings: Malachi Fields. The former Notre Dame wideout has been one of the standout performers during practice week in Mobile, and scouts are taking notice - not just because of his size, but because of how he’s using it.
At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, Fields is every bit the physical mismatch that NFL teams covet on the boundary. But what’s really set him apart this week isn’t just his frame - it’s how he’s using it to dominate reps. Whether it’s winning contested catches, creating separation with clean footwork, or showing a knack for timing his breaks, Fields has checked a lot of boxes in front of decision-makers.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who already had Fields in his Top 50 prospects for the 2026 draft, came away even more impressed after seeing him live. “There are a talented bunch of wide receivers at the Senior Bowl this year, but Fields was clearly a cut above every other player at the position,” Jeremiah said. “His ability to get into breaks was impressive, and he had the catch of the week on a deep ball from Arkansas QB Taylen Green.”
That deep-ball grab was more than just highlight-reel material - it was a glimpse into the kind of vertical threat Fields can be at the next level. He’s not the twitchiest receiver in the class, but he’s efficient in his movements, especially at the top of routes. He works back to the quarterback well, and when the ball is in the air, he plays like it’s his - and only his.
“He is a bully when the ball is in the air,” Jeremiah added. “To see him at his best, watch the Pitt game. He makes several impressive plays, including a remarkable one-handed grab.”
That Pitt performance was one of Fields’ signature moments in a 2025 season that saw him haul in 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a robust 17.5 yards per reception. Over his career, he totaled 165 receptions, 2,479 yards, and 16 touchdowns - numbers that speak to both his consistency and his big-play ability.
Fields wasn’t just a stat accumulator at Notre Dame - he was a tone-setter. Brought in to be the Irish’s primary boundary target, he quickly built chemistry with quarterback CJ Carr and became a go-to option in critical moments. His ability to high-point the football and win in traffic helped ignite Notre Dame’s offense in the second half against Miami and led to a two-touchdown breakout performance on the road against Pitt.
And while we didn’t get to see him in the postseason, there’s little doubt that his role would have expanded had Notre Dame made a deeper run. Still, his body of work - and now his Senior Bowl performance - is more than enough to project him as a rising name in this year’s draft class.
This isn’t considered a particularly deep group at wide receiver, which only enhances Fields’ value. He may not be a day-one pick just yet, but with a strong showing at the NFL Combine, he has a real shot to climb into that early Day 2 range - or higher. His size, physicality, and red zone potential make him an intriguing fit for teams looking to add a power forward-type receiver to their offense.
Fields plays with an edge, especially in contested situations. He doesn’t have elite top-end speed, but he’s tough after the catch and brings a competitive mindset that coaches love. In the right system, he could carve out an immediate role as a red zone threat and third-down target - and grow into much more.
With two more months of evaluations ahead, Malachi Fields is trending in the right direction. He’s already proven he can shine against top competition. Now it’s about continuing to stack strong performances and letting the tape - and his tools - do the talking.