Malachi Fields Specializes In Contested Catches
April 22nd, 2026
Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields has a serious catch radius.
Joe knows the Bucs lost a big receiver who was a game-breaker in Mike Evans. Well, why not get another?
Sadly, Evans cannot be replaced. His type only comes around once every couple of generations. But there is a guy out there in the draft who is tall, has a nose for blocking, and is really good at hauling in contested catches.
That would be Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields.
No, Notre Dame didn’t make the playoffs. You could argue they were as good as Oklahoma, James Madison, Tulane and probably Texas Tech. And Fields was the go-to guy for Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr.
Fields seems to be getting decent hype; not all NFL scouts agree with the fans.
After speaking with scouts about Fields, veteran NFL scribe Bob McGinn came away with Fields in his second tier of receivers, no higher than the 13th-best on his board, as McGinn typed for GoLongTD.com.
Said one scout: “He made a couple plays at the Senior Bowl and all of a sudden people were talking about him in the first round. Sometimes people grade helmets. Then he ran 4.65 and he’s back where he belongs. Just a big possession guy that can’t separate. He will flash some playmaking but just far too inconsistent.”
Fields may not be able to separate a whole lot but if he’s coached up how to use that big frame of his, Fields ought to be a decent red zone target.
In his draft guide “The Beast,” Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Fields going in the second or third round. Brugler has Fields as his ninth-best receiver.
Well, you cannot teach a guy how to be tall but you can teach him how to use his tall body and you can certainly teach a guy how to get separation. If Fields is hanging around in the third round on Friday night, Joe wouldn’t vomit if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht pulls the trigger.
🎥Film Breakdown🎥
Malachi Fields, WR – Notre Dame
– 6’5 | 218
– 149 Rec | 2,249 Yds | 15 TDs over past three seasons
– Strong/explosive big-body boundary receiver with phenomenal balls skills and body control. pic.twitter.com/esJ6DbIEse— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) March 17, 2026
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:04 am
Nope
If he hasn’t figured out how by now
It’s not coming to him in the NFL
Garett Green will shine in training camp
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:07 am
hopefully a team that needs a receiver takes him.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:29 am
I tend to disagree with Joe — I think there are plenty of college wide receivers who come to the pros but never learn how to get separation from defenders.
It is a skill that some receivers have a lot more than others.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:29 am
Ted Hurst
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:30 am
This Joe must forget, there is no one on the coiching staff who can coach any player up.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:32 am
3rd rounder all day. A true X. I like him alot as well as Stribling who has speed, size and attacks the ball. Please, no Ted Hurst.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:32 am
No need to disagree. You are correct. Never underestimate how bad coaches can drag down good players. So, so, so much depends on drafted players falling to the right situations, coaches, teams.
Joe is positive some coaches will be able to coach up Fields. Some won’t.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:33 am
From Dane Brugler: Allows physical corners to escort his route into the sideline.
Darrell Jackson from Tampa was taller but did not have great speed. But he could separate at the line of scrimmage. Had a lot of strong years with Seattle. The difference Jackson knew how to get separation.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:35 am
Let’s talk about the guy that dominated the top teams
The guy that’s been going strong for 4 years
Mr Reliable Elijah Sarratt, the Champ
The guy that shamed Kenyon Sadiq twice
The guy that help beat Ohio State and their Top Draft prospects
Elijah Sarratt has been Indiana U most clutch WR
So was Cooper, those are the guys
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:35 am
“… if he’s coached up how to use that big frame of his…”
.
.
M1k3 already knew how to do this before we got him.
If he’s still there in the 6th round.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:41 am
PASS for me … WR is not a glaring need imo, If there is one the Bucs like later in the draft so be it. Don’t forget what round we got Tez Johnson last year. He might end up being the best seventh round pick in franchise history. Yes Bray Future as long as the box keep on providing him game time showcase his skills. He’s One of the very few things that excites me about Evan’s departure…
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:43 am
**he has a bright future as long as the Bucs continue to provide him game time***
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:44 am
I’m a big yes on Fields. Seems like a guy that won’t run away from a fight.
Licht drafts WR position quite well. I’d trust his judgement on that pick.
Stick to the basics!!! Do what you do well.
Hire people to help you fix what you don’t do well.
And stop hyping up furniture movers you drafted that can’t play in the NFL.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:47 am
I agree with Joe — coaching makes a difference.
Mike Holgren had success with Darrell Jackson (a 3rd rounder) but not much with the 9th overall pick the next year Koren Robinson. So, while coaching makes a difference — some guys do not ever get it.
Lakeland, I have no problem with you not liking Kenyon Sadiq. After all it is just an opinion.
You seem to care less about the age of players than I do. Elijah Sarratt will be 23 when the season starts compared to Sadiq who will be 21.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:56 am
Someone make a list of JL’s picks at every round that was taken after the real player that the Bucs needed and was sold as a find most often lacking in size, speed or health.
Clancy is one of those and he is just the biggest name.
Call it the
Day Late and a Dollar Short list .
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:06 am
What they lost at wr? There is a apb on most the defense they got most the defense on milk cartons. I just don’t think they are missing much on the wr room will it be different without Mike yup will it be less effective I don’t think so they still have a lot of talent on the offensive side.
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:15 am
Malachi Fields will be a great addition to the Bucs
I’m not completely sold on the Bucs WRs
I think we an upgrade at WR
We might get another year or two from Godwin, if he stays healthy
JMac, Egbuka, Tez, I’m not sold on them
We can’t afford to pass up good WRs
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:18 am
lmao – they were superior to the teams listed as well as a few of the super limp D SEC teams thats were in. Their loss was game one with a true freshman quarterback playing in his first ever college game by 3 points against a team that made the national championship game- in an era where dorks like Carson Beck is in his 8th year or something. They have the top recruiting class going in to next year, top transfers and will go in to next year ranked number one or 2. Get ready for it, and anyone that cheers for conferences as much as a team is a huge nerd. Maybe if your school was big swinging past their knees like Notre Dame they wouldnt need a conference either. Well learned men from Notre Dame dont subscribe to group think *kisses*
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:18 am
Seems slow plus we need defense we have a good amount of WR talent.
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:29 am
Bucs resign Tucker?
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:31 am
Yeah Sean Tucker is officially a Buc
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:35 am
I like the guy with the nickname (Waffle House) because he’s always open
The most productive WR in this draft, after 4 years
242 Receptions
3,678 Yards Receiving
15 2 Avg
44 Touchdowns
The Champ Elijah Sarratt
April 22nd, 2026 at 11:22 am
No problem signing Tucker , he still has to make the team
This also tells you how the rest of the league looks at him
April 22nd, 2026 at 11:25 am
Denzel Boston would be nice
GO BUCS
April 22nd, 2026 at 11:32 am
Best defender available in rds 1-3. After that, mix in some offensive guys. Licht’s scouts are very good in rds 4-7 finding BPA talent.
April 22nd, 2026 at 11:33 am
I don’t care who it is or what round, we have to find a WR that can contribute this season. We will all be asking for it in mid to late October when several of our WRs are missing games.
April 22nd, 2026 at 11:38 am
I want Keon Coleman from the Bills as our new X receiver.
April 22nd, 2026 at 11:39 am
Bucs need a true WR1 ASAP.
The Bucs have never been able to win games consistently without Evans (a true WR1) in the lineup.
I don’t think our offense will be that great until we get a WR1.
We currently don’t have anyone who can effectively fill that role. 💯