2026 Draft: WR

DaBruinz said:

The 4.61 at 6'4 and 218lbs is ok. I like the 6.98 shuttle, but a 4.35 shuttle isn't great.. N'Keal Harry ran a 4.53-40, a 7.05 Shuttle and a 4.28 3-cone.

Harry and Fields have almost identical 10-yd splits (1.62/1.59). Harry was supposedly this contested catch phenom.. Yet, we all know how that resulted because he couldn't get off the line reliably.

Looking at College Production, Fields is lacking in comparison to both Harry and London.

Fields - 165 receptions for 2,479 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns over five seasons (48 games) 10 drops total. 1 drop every 16.5 receptions.
N'Keal Harry - 213 receptions for 2,889 yards and 22 TDs over 37 games
Drake London - 160 receptions for 2,153 yards and 15 TDs over 27 games

Sorry, but I think that trying to put Fields in the same category as London is erroneous. Especially when Fields played 21 more games to get 5 more receptions and 324 more yards and 1 more TD. While Fields led Notre Dame with a 17.5 YPR in 2025, that's not going to happen in the NFL. He's going to be a possession guy in the 10.4-12.5 YPR range.

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Water Boy said:

I'm really curious what the Patriot's strategy will be relative to a potential trade for AJB. If Hurst or another high upside X receiver is available in the top 3 picks do they pull the trigger? This would presumably provide more leverage to give Philly a take it or leave it offer (2 and 4) assuming the Pats are still the odds-on favorites as a trade partner. Would that mean a trade is off the table or would there be roster shuffling in acquiring AJB. If the Pats don't spend an early round pick on a receiver does that mean the trade is in the works? It would help us focus on other positions of need in 2026, but obviously there is a draft pick cost in 2027.


What would our WR corp look like with both a 26 WR draft pick and AJB? Who would we let go in a trade?

AJB
Hurst (or other)
Doubs
Boutte
Williams
Douglas
Hollins
Chism

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PatsFan2 said:

Harry comparison really?? I soured on London because of that unfair Harry comparison I really like Fields: I think he'll play faster than his time speed. Knowing Maye loves to throw High I couldn't think of a better player. That said Harry must have played against absolute @ss @ CB in College to post those number that didn't translate.

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mayoclinic said:

Too many WRs, way too much resources expended, IMHO.

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Water Boy said:

I agree. Doesn't make a lot of sense to spend a high draft pick on an X if AJB is still the preferred option. We need a WR corp with a diversified skill set.

I'm still curious what acquiring AJB would mean for Boutte.

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Username said:

I think that's true to a degree, but also very nuanced. For instance, I think some of the problem lies with Drake and his desire to play hero ball, which is understandable considering the success he had throwing deep, but you can't maintain that against top 5 defenses and have to adjust accordingly. Secondly, the play calling I think can be questioned at times. Take Kyle Williams, his college tape showed a guy that gets open within three steps, but he struggles to maintain separation. Yet for some reason we never fed him quick passes and tried to use him as a boundary receiver.

But in any case, Fields is one of those receivers who is never going get yards of separation, other than on blown coverages, that's not his strength. His strengths are his catch radius and competitiveness. He would be a very nice option to have in the red zone, rather than burning through 4 snaps and going nowhere, which was an all too familiar occurrence last year. I'd be happy with him as a 4th or 5th round pick

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DaBruinz said:

Hey SFBs. He's the one who mentioned Harry.. I posted Harry's numbers. Don't like it? I don't care. You're a fool who doesn't understand the game. You liking Fields is just another reason NOT to add him.

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DoubleDeluxe said:

And I’m not sure where PF2 is getting his “I think he will play faster than his timed speed” from.
When I watched his highlights my first thought was “this guy creates no separation”.
Maybe he can be successful in the NFL, but that lack of separation scares the **** out of me.
I’m sure the perfect WR for Maye is a guy that gets open, not a guy that is always covered and has to rely on winning contested catches.

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PatsFan2 said:

I think M Fields is going to be a very good Pro...but you'll see for yourself.

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DoubleDeluxe said:

If we draft him I hope you’re right.
He doesn’t create separation from what I’ve seen, that is not a recipe for success in the NFL.

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DoubleDeluxe said:

And I’m not sure where PF2 is getting his “I think he will play faster than his timed speed” from.
When I watched his highlights my first thought was “this guy creates no separation”.
Maybe he can be successful in the NFL, but that lack of separation scares the **** out of me.
I’m sure the perfect WR for Maye is a guy that gets open, not a guy that is always covered and has to rely on winning contested catches.

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Rdforty2 said:

People are letting Harry being a bust skew how good he was as a college WR. He was a much better player and prospect than Fields. He wasnt as tall but he was just as strong, more athletic, and better with the ball in his hands. Harry returned a punt for a TD in his college career, and was used on screens and end arounds. He was a poor fit for the team and his flaws were too much for him to make it. Maybe Fields can be a better pro. But judging them on their ability shown in college, Harry was a much better prospect coming out.

Id be fine with Fields as many say as a mid round pick, but hes just another role type of WR. Even if not the same type of role player, we have a lot of role players already. Guys like Hurst or even Lance at least have shown the playmaking ability and physical skills to potentially be a WR1 if things break right. Much rather go that route, even with a higher investment needed.

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mayoclinic said:

A new subscriber site just for the Cult of Verticality:

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Username said:

Another intriguing late round UDFA prospect



6'2", 200lbs, 4.39 40 time

His Dad was a kicker in the NFL and he started out as a kicker too, before transitioning to a returner and then WR

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Clonamery said:

I found myself screaming in my head, hit him, tackle him, stop trying to strip the ball, play defense! Then I realized the entire league is a bunch of white guys waiting to be lawyers and dreaming of Wednesday's 18 holes of golf with the boss and Thursday afternoon shtoops with the Boss' wife, Muffin.

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