Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields Scouted for 2026 Raiders Draft

Scouting report on the 6'4" receiver's fit with the Las Vegas Raiders

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Malachi Fields, a 6'4" wide receiver from Notre Dame, is projected as a late second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fields is an exceptional athlete with a 4.42 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical, and 10'7" broad jump. He was highly productive in college, catching 165 passes for 2,486 yards and 16 touchdowns over five seasons. Fields displays prototypical size and strength for the position, physicality at the line of scrimmage, and strong hands to make contested catches. However, his long speed and route running need some refinement at the NFL level.

Why it matters

The Raiders have been looking to add more size and physicality to their receiving corps, and Fields could be an intriguing option to complement their existing receivers like Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton. His ability to win contested catches and work the middle of the field could make him a valuable red zone target for the Raiders' offense.

The details

Fields is an exceptionally athletic receiver, posting elite testing numbers that would rank him in the top 2% of all receivers since athletic testing has been tracked. He displays good speed, quickness, and leaping ability that allows him to win at the catch point. Fields is a refined route runner with a natural understanding of coverages, and he uses head fakes and hand moves to create separation. However, his long speed may be a concern, as he doesn't consistently blow by defenders in the first 10-15 yards of his routes. Fields also needs to improve his blocking technique, and his route tree could use some expansion at the NFL level.

  • Fields has been a productive player at Notre Dame over the past five seasons, catching 165 passes for 2,486 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The players

Malachi Fields

A 6'4", 218-pound wide receiver from Notre Dame who is projected as a late second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jack Bech

A wide receiver drafted by the Raiders in 2025 who is a traditional all-around receiver.

Dont'e Thornton

A wide receiver drafted by the Raiders in 2025 who has a long way to go before becoming a consistent contributor despite his size and athleticism.

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What’s next

The Raiders will continue to evaluate Fields and other wide receiver prospects as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

Malachi Fields is a physically gifted wide receiver prospect who could provide the Raiders with a big-bodied target to complement their existing receiving corps. While he needs to refine certain aspects of his game, his combination of size, athleticism, and college production make him an intriguing option for the Raiders in the 2026 draft.