New Giants Rumors on 'Likely' WR2 Opposite Malik Nabers for 2026 NFL Season

New York Giants rookie Malachi Fields will "likely start as the Giants' No. 2 receiver" alongside star wideout Malik Nabers, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan, who provided more information.

"The Giants traded up because they were infatuated with his size, physicality and ability to make contested catches. That's exactly what they've seen this summer. Fields will likely start as the Giants' No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers, in part because of his size and ability to block."

In this year's draft, New York traded picks 105 (fourth round), 145 (fifth round) and a 2027 fourth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns to move up to 74th (third round) to select Fields, a former Notre Dame star.

The signs have been pointing toward Fields being WR2.

For starters, the 6'4", 222-pound Fields represents a big target for quarterback Jaxson Dart as he enters his second NFL season and first as the Giants' QB1 in Week 1 after initially backing up Russell Wilson to start 2025.

The Dart-Fields connection came through in Week 1 of the preseason, when Dart rolled around and found Fields for an impressive 15-yard touchdown after the rookie got up high, caught the ball and landed just in-bounds.

Fields has performed well in training camp, and Dart clearly loves him.

During camp, SNY's Connor Hughes foreshadowed Fields being a starter.

Matt Harmon of Yahoo Sports provided an in-depth breakdown of what Giants fans might expect from Fields.

Although Fields might be WR2, he may not be the second-most targeted player, per se. Of note, tight end Isaiah Likely has formed a great rapport with Dart in camp. Check out the numbers below via Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

Still, Fields will get his fair share of reps, likely beginning on Sunday, Sept. 13, when the Giants host the Dallas Cowboys to start the season.