Malachi Fields, a wide receiver once considered a top prospect for the Buffalo Bills in the 2026 NFL Draft, may have damaged his stock after an underwhelming showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Throughout the offseason, the Bills monitored nearly every wideout closely, given their need for playmakers. Friday’s drills in Indianapolis were meant to reveal which players could step in immediately and stretch the field.
Notre Dame‘s Malachi Fields had drawn attention in mock drafts, but his performance at the Combine may have ended first-round speculation, especially after a day where several wideouts impressed with blazing times and agility.
Fields ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, the second-slowest among wideouts, just ahead of BYU‘s Chase Roberts. His 3-cone drill was 6.98 seconds, and short shuttle 4.35 seconds, placing him behind most participants in key agility tests.
The Senior Bowl had generated buzz for Fields, and some projected him as an early pick. However, his NFL Combine results mirrored concerns from the Bills‘ previous draft experience, specifically with Keon Coleman in 2024, whose numbers were similarly underwhelming.
Coleman, drafted No. 33 overall, recorded a 4.61 40-yard dash, 1.54-second 10-yard split, 38-inch vertical, and 10-foot-7-inch broad jump. Fields measured 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, ran a 4.61 40, 1.63 10-yard split, 38-inch vertical, and 10-foot-4-inch broad jump.
Buffalo needs receivers who can be go-to targets for Josh Allen and reliably stretch defenses, and those stat lines, based on Coleman, indicate he won’t be that man as new head coach Joe Brady emphasized the start of a fresh approach.
Wider roster changes at Buffalo: How are the Bills helping Josh Allen?
The Bills restructured right tackle Spencer Brown‘s contract, creating $10.4 million in cap space ahead of the new league year starting March 11, as Beane said similar moves may be needed for other players, but they aim to avoid pushing money down the road.
Veteran tight end Dawson Knox‘s future is under review, with potential savings of $9.7 million if released, so he could be the next one out of the door at Highmark Stadium, whilst defensive end Greg Rousseau remains a cornerstone, though his exact role will be determined.
Beane called him “versatile” and “a valuable piece,” emphasizing the flexibility in how he could be deployed next season – and finally, in another blow to Coleman and Fields is news about the wide receiver department.
Khalil Shakir is expected to see a bigger role as Brady praised his ability to play both inside and outside, noting that his versatility gives the team multiple ways to get the ball in his hands, building on his slot work from last season.
The changes come at a big time with Brady now in charge after Sean McDermott was let go, following the loss to the Denver Broncos in the NFL Playoffs.
In the 2026 NFL season, Buffalo will host the Miami Dolphins (x2), New England Patriots (x2), and New York Jets (x2), keeping the traditional AFC East rivalry matchups intact.
Other home opponents include the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens, whilst on the road, the Bills will travel to face the Miami Dolphins (x2), New England Patriots (x2), and New York Jets (x2), matching the division home-and-away format.
Additional away games include the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams, based on last season’s standings and rotational scheduling.
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