Malachi Fields may have entered Senior Bowl week flying under the radar, but it didn’t take long for that to change.
After just two practices in Mobile, Ala., Fields has become one of the most talked-about receivers on the roster, generating buzz among scouts and media following a standout Wednesday showing.
The 6-foot-4, 223-pounder has shown the ability to win deep and make tough catches, but Fields believes it starts with one of his rare traits, having good feet.
“Ever since I got to college, making that transition from quarterback to receiver, I've been working with the guys in the room and my coaches,” stated Fields to the Post-Gazette. “Just the technique of route running and getting in and out of breaks, like whether it's box drills, big bag drills, trying to focus on getting out in three steps and working back to the quarterback.”
That work began paying off prior to his junior season at Virginia, a turning point in his development. After recording just five catches for 58 yards the year before, Fields exploded in 2023 with 58 receptions for 811 yards and five touchdowns.
“I felt a lot more comfortable actually route running, getting the footwork down,” said Fields.” After that, I think it just continued to excel and to this point now.”
Fields’ transition from quarterback to wide receiver also required mastering the basics of catching the football, something not all players ever fully develop.
But there’s also another piece to the puzzle and that’s mentality.
“Just always getting catches, whether it's in practice or after practice, trying to be around the ball,” Fields explained. “It's also a mentality I kind of developed when the ball's in the air, it's mine. Having that confidence about me when the ball's in the air and just going to make the play.”
The Virginia native spent his final collegiate season at Notre Dame, where he posted 36 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns while expanding his game beyond the passing attack.
Fields’ willingness to mix it up as a blocker has stood out during Senior Bowl practices.
“The blocking thing is something I take pride in, especially when I come from a program with two great running backs in the backfield,” stated Fields. “Picking up a key block and sprinting for a touchdown, I just take pride in that.”
The effort and will to block are there, but Fields knows he also has room to grow, especially with the differences of an NFL field.
“One thing I want to clean up is definitely the splits,” Fields said. “The splits are a little bit different than we had in college. The hashes and the numbers are a bit different.”
As for the big picture, Fields believes he’s one of the best receivers in Mobile, but he’s also more than willing to help and learn from his competition.
“I see myself right in the mix with everybody,” said Fields. “We're all coming in competing, but we're trying to help each other elevate in the process. We’re all in there competing, but talking, talking to each other about how we can help each other get better.”
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