If there was any doubt that wide receiver Malik Heath was going to be on the Green Bay Packers’ final 53-man roster, that question has most likely been answered following Saturday’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“Potentially,” said Matt LaFleur when asked if Heath could be a part of the receiver rotation this season. “He was out there first snap of the game. Think he might have been a little nervous with the false start. It wasn’t perfect, but it never is.”
After rotating in with the starting offense during Wednesday and Thursday’s final training camp practices, in Romeo Doubs’ absence on Saturday, Heath was lined up with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and the rest of the Packers’ starters during the first series and beyond against Seattle.
Heath’s day began with a false start, perhaps due to some extra adrenaline as LaFleur alluded to, but he settled in, catching four of his seven targets for 35 yards with a long of 15. In total this preseason, Heath has hauled in 12 of the 16 passes thrown his way for 146 yards at 12.1 yards per catch, with several of those receptions coming during key moments, such as on third down or in Week 2 against New England, where he put the Packers offense in field goal range before the end of the first half.
In addition to his impact in the passing game, Heath has taken on a larger role on special teams the last two weeks, and has also made a noticeable impact as a blocker within this offense—more than happy to do the dirty work as an enforcer, a role previously filled by Allen Lazard. Against Seattle, Heath had a key block on a reception by Patrick Taylor that allowed him to pick up the first down and another one on a jet sweep to Reed, who was able to pick up nine yards.
“I think Malik has shown a lot of good things,” added LaFleur. “Not only catching the football, but the way be blocks has been big time for us. He’s a physical player. And I’m excited for him. I think he’s going to continue to get better, and better, and better.”
It’s not as if Heath has come on strong over the last few weeks either to make a roster push. He’s been consistently making plays since rookie minicamp back in May, and has continued to do so since. He does not possess the same sub-4.4 speed that Christian Watson or Jayden Reed have, but he’s shown an ability with his route running to create space, and is more than willing to make a contested catch, and pick up yards after the catch. At the end of the day, he knows how to win his routes, and as a result, the ball finds him often.
When it comes to what the Packers look for in their receivers, Heath has been able to check off pretty much every box. At 6-3 and 213 pounds, he has that bigger frame that they covet. On the field, he’s been consistent as a pass catcher, a capable blocker, able to play from the slot and out wide, along with, as of late, helping on special teams, which is a requirement for most back-end of the roster players.
“He’s balled out since he got here,” said Jordan Love after the game. “The biggest thing since when he got here is how aggressive he catches the ball—he attacks it. His mentality after he catches it is he is trying to get those yards. I think he’s ball out. OTAs to now. He’s taken a lot of leaps just learning the offense, now he’s just going out there and making plays. But he’s done a really good job.”
With it looking like Heath has jumped Samori Toure on the depth chart, along with the unknown around when Dontayvion Wicks will be back on the field, it’s possible that he could be the third or fourth receiving option for the Packers against Chicago in Week 1, depending on whether or not Doubs is available.