The Giants have completed a 31-spot climb up the board in Round 3. They acquired No. 74 from the Browns and drafted Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.
New York sent Cleveland Nos. 105, 145 and a 2027 fourth-round pick, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. A few wideouts came off the board between the the Giants’ selection of cornerback Colton Hood at No. 37 and their trade-up with the Browns. The Giants had not addressed the position in the draft, leading them to make an aggressive move to reel in Fields. He joins Hood, linebacker/edge Arvell Reese (fifth overall) and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (10th) as the first four picks of the John Harbaugh era.
Fields spent the majority of his college career at Virginia, where he played from 2021-24. A foot injury limited Fields to one game in his second year with the Cavaliers, but he bounced back to post back-to-back seasons of 50-plus catches, 800-plus yards and five touchdowns.
After earning a third-team All-ACC nod in 2024, Fields transferred to Notre Dame. While playing with a freshman quarterback, CJ Carr, Fields’ catch total dropped to 36 in 12 games. However, he amassed 630 yards on a stellar 17.5 YPC and logged his third five-TD season in a row.
Heading into the draft, both Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 58) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network (No. 60) ranked Fields among the 60 best prospects in the class. The 6-foot-4, 218 pounder compares favorably to Michael Pittman Jr., per Brugler. Pittman is a six-year veteran with 485 catches and two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume. A similar career for Fields would be a nice outcome for the Giants, who are hoping he emerges as a formidable target for quarterback Jaxson Dart and a strong complement to No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
Solid backup
I really like NYG’s draft so far, actually. There are the surgery questions for Mauigoa, and Reese definitely makes Thibodeaux obsolete, but I can’t argue with the selections. With Fields included, it definitely seems like the Giants are going high potential for their picks more than anything else. Each player looks like a solid addition at a necessary spot, however.
This is the year it’d be nice to see the hard knocks. I’m very curious how the dynamic is given all the changes and rumors.
obviously different coordinators and the game has evolved. However, Giants always played their best football when they had a big ‘go up and get it’ WR along with and a really solid route runner whether in the slot of on the outside. Amani, Plax, Ike, Steve Smith, Nicks, Victor and earlier years with Engram, Manuel and of course, my favorite as a kid, Stephen Baker THE Touchdown Maker to name a few. really hope this kid works out after the disaster Hyatt has been.