Though they have other pressing needs to address, there is little doubt that the Buffalo Bills have a problem in their receiver room. General Manager Brandon Beane will have to get a bit creative to create salary cap space, but there should be options available to address several areas of need.
With a blockbuster trade looking less likely, the Bills will need to find a handful of contributors in the NFL Draft. With their first pick, No. 26 overall, they could address their lack of a true playmaker at receiver by taking Malachi Fields out of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 218 lbs
Expected 40-Yard Dash: 4.50-4.55
Recruiting: 3-star recruit in the class of 2021, No. 1763 nationally, No. 141 athlete overall
College Production: 165 receptions, 2,479 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns in 48 career games
Positives
- Tremendous size and excellent wingspan that makes him a difficult matchup against virtually any corner.
- Attacks the ball at the high point, making him a tremendous contested catch option.
- Very good against zone coverage, finding soft spots in coverage – he is a former quarterback, so he knows how they think.
- Grades out as one of the better deep and intermediate threats in the class, tracking deep balls and winning at all levels.
- Willing to use his size in the run game, showing consistent effort and physicality while blocking.
- Comes off as a natural leader, a future captain who will compete for every extra yard and can set the tone for the position group.
It took Fields a bit to find his game after a very average recruiting experience, but he managed to establish himself as a vertical threat that can win any ball thrown his way. Might not have the explosive speed to burn defenses over the top but can haul in deep balls from one of the best deep ball quarterbacks in the league.
Negatives
- Slow to get off the line, particularly against press, and needs some variety to get away from corners that are more aggressive with their hands.
- Speed is average but he can win using strength and positioning.
- Needs to develop his route tree, especially with a lack of foot quickness that leads to separation.
- Isn’t quite as dynamic underneath and struggles to uncover on broken plays.
Though he has big play potential, Fields lacks the dynamic speed and separation ability that would become an asset in this Bills offense. He needs to become tougher to jam off the line and work on his route tree to establish better separation on a more consistent basis.
Malachi Fields NFL Player Comparison: Cedric Tillman
Fields makes up for a lack of speed and separation by just being bigger, stronger, and more physical than whoever lines up against him. He has the kind of ball skills that make him a threat even with a defensive back right in his face, plus his ability to beat zone coverage will no doubt be an asset.
Fields’ Fit with the Buffalo Bills
The Bills are probably looking for someone who can separate a bit more naturally, and Fields struggles in that area. His ability to win contested balls all over the field could become a real asset, especially with a quarterback like Josh Allen. If Fields could develop his route tree and gain separation, it would make him a more complete receiver.
Malachi Fields NFL Draft Grade: Late Round 1-Early Round 2
This is a deep receiver class, and several teams are looking to upgrade. Fields has clear limitations, but his strengths can be an asset in the right system. He may be more ideal as a second-round pick, but could come off the board far earlier because of his size, catch radius, and ability to come down with any ball.