2026 Las Vegas Raiders Draft Scouting: Malachi Fields

Position: WR

Height: 6’4

Weight: 218

Stats: 2025 (12 games) – 36 receptions, 630 yards (17.5 YPC), 5 touchdowns | 11 contested catches (48%), 192 YAC, 1 drop

Class/Age: RS Senior, 22

Team: Notre Dame

Positives:

Fields is about as freak of an athlete as you can be, he’s a true 6’4, 218 and has logged a 4.42 40, 4.18 shuttle, 6.81 3-cone, 38 vertical, 10-7 1/2 broad jump, and has hit 22.7 mph on GPS tracking. All that compared would put Fields as a 9.98 RAS score which would rank among the top 2% ever since athletic testing has been tracked. The Notre Dame product has been extremely productive with a career 165 receptions, 2486 yards, and 16 touchdowns in five seasons along with logging 35 contested catches and just 10 drops. He displays prototypical size and strength at the position and can consistently stay physical at the LOS, throughout the route, and at the catch point. Fields displays a good first step along with good speed out of the break in his routes and at the top of the key. He’s physical after the catch and does display the ability to catch and run post catch while being a consistent tough tackler. Fields has exceptionally strong hands and shows an innate ability to catch out of his frame, work the middle, and make contested catch opportunities. He’s willing to work the middle and go out of his frame, and with his size he’s nearly impossible to defeat at the catch point across the middle or on back shoulder fade concepts. Fields is instinctual (former QB) at the position with a natural understanding of coverages, leverage, and how to utilize his head and hands to create separation beyond his natural athleticism. Fields shows great ability to track the ball over his shoulder, consistently leading his ability to play downfield and work the boundary as well. He’s a highly refined route runner, has a good release package, and utilize a variety of moves to break at the top of the route and cut before exploding into the route. Fields is a willing blocker and at his size he’s got the ability to push out defenders frequently, though Fields does need some improvements.

Weakness:

Fields biggest flaws come with how his long speed will pair at the NFL level, he’s a quick player downfield but does struggle within the first 10-15 yards before getting to his top speed around the 20 yard mark, he’s not going to blow by defenders at the first start of the route, but he does a phenomenal job winning downfield with true speed. Fields needs to refine his blocking technique, and his limited experience at WR does showcase a lot to be desired in that aspect, along with not the most diverse route tree but he does showcase the ability to work strong routes and he can learn new concepts quickly on the fly. Fields will need to consistently stop rounding his routes, and while it’s not common for him to do, it happens more often than you would want him to at the NFL level. Fields does a good job in contested catch situations, but you’d like to see him succeed a little more often than 50% given his frame and strength at at the college level, though it’ll likely remain similar or within 40-44% at the NFL level. Fields does get swallowed up by bigger cornerbacks and struggles to break away from defenders as well at times but not often. He’s an average special teams player though he does make some key plays as well with his frame in punt and kick off coverages. He showcases average balance and can also get out of his frame at times and slip and isn’t overly twitchy.

Grade: 2.88 – Late 2nd Round

Pro-Comp: Courtland Sutton (DEN)

Fields is a refined prospect, but also has a massive upside swing as well. Fields needs to refine his route tree and he’ll be limited by what’s likely considered below average speed at the NFL level though good speed for his size as well. Fields is a good player, has the ability to run a variety of routes with some technical skills and instincts at his size especially with his ability to read defenses, utilize head fakes and hand moves, and consistently cut and break into his next step. He’s a good receiver who’s well sound but will need to develop a variety of his game aspects as well, though he’s going to impactful at the NFL level as well. The Raiders drafted two receivers in 2025 with Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton. Bech is a traditional all around receiver, Thornton has a long way to go before he can become a player despite his size and athleticism. Fields would be able to come into the Raiders as likely a top 2-3 option in the room with a FA and Tucker, and Fields expectational back shoulder ability pairs well with Mendoza.