A New York Giants insider has revealed a significant development on rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields.
The New York Giants made sure they landed Malachi Fields in the NFL Draft, trading up into the third round in order to do so.
Most agreed it was a fantastic pick for the Giants, as Fields gave them the type of big-bodied X receiver they really haven't had since the days of Plaxico Burress.
But just how much of an impact would Fields make during his rookie campaign?
The general expectation was that the Notre Dame product would find himself toward the back end of New York's wide receiver room in 2026, but apparently, Fields is making significant strides and could end up having a starting role.
At least according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, who feels that Fields could end up as the Giants' No. 2 receiver come Week 1.
"Fields has demonstrated an ability to make plays downfield, which could be his primary role as a rookie," Duggan wrote. "Unlike Jalin Hyatt, whose speed made him a deep threat exclusively, the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Fields has the size to run underneath routes and use his physicality to make contested catches. With the Giants expected to lean heavily on two-tight end packages, Fields has made an early claim for the No. 2 receiver spot opposite [Malik] Nabers."
New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields. Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images.While this is terrific news for Fields, it also could spell bad news for the rest of New York's receiving corps.
Is this development because Fields has been so impressive in training camp? Or is it merely because the Giants don't really have any other truly notable options elsewhere?
New York signed Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. Of that group, only Mooney — who has a 1,000-yard season under his belt — has a legitimate chance of earning the No. 2 receiver role.
The Giants also have Darius Slayton, who has been with the team since 2019 and has long been a steady presence for them at the position. Because of his familiarity with Jaxson Dart and the offense, he might have an inside track to a starting job.
However, Slayton was awful last season, and he underwent sports hernia surgery earlier this offseason. That has resulted in the 29-year-old having a rathe slow start to camp.
Fields absolutely has tremendous potential, so perhaps the fact that he is making a push for the No. 2 receiver spot rather than an ancillary role is more indicative of that than anything else.
But you can't help but wonder if John Harbaugh is simply not all that enamored with the rest of the options at his disposal.
