The biggest question surrounding the Patriots is whether they can successfully trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown before this year's NFL draft.
If New England can't manage to trade for Brown, targeting a receiver early in the draft could be a viable option. On Monday, the Athletic's Nick Baumgardner projected Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields as a potential pick for the Patriots at number 63.
Fields played five seasons of college football, spending four years at Virginia before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season. Over the course of 48 career games, Fields recorded 2,479 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.
The one thing that separates Fields from many of the other receivers in this class is his 6-foot-4 frame. If New England drafts Fields, he could be a red zone target for Drake Maye, taking the pressure off tight end Hunter Henry.
NFL Network's draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Fields to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
"Boundary “X” receiver who uses elite size and strength to bully defensive backs. Notre Dame’s run-heavy approach and quarterback play slowed Fields’ production somewhat but his tape was filled with impressive moments," Zierlein wrote this offseason. "He’s best suited for an offense that allows him to get from Point A to Point B while using his frame/ball skills to dominate the work space and win in the air.
"He can be a slow starter versus press and lives on contested targets, but he moves the chains on tight-window throws and consistently tilts 50/50 balls in his direction outside the numbers. Fields might never be a star, but his traits, playing style and ball skills should make him a productive WR2 in time."
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