If the Green Bay Packers keep six wide receivers on their initial 53-man, that is a roster spot that is up for grabs, with Malik Heath and Bo Melton being the front-runners for the role.
Heath, an undrafted rookie from Ole Miss, had a really strong offseason program where he seemingly made a play during each of the practices. In training camp, he has come on as of late, putting together his best practice during Family Night over the weekend.
At 6-2 and 213 pounds, Heath is a big-bodied receiver who doesn’t have blazing speed but has shown the ability to make contested catches and also create separation through his route running. During Family Night, Heath caught two touchdowns, including a catch and run over the middle, where he sold going right but instead went left, creating space between him and the cornerback.
Melton, meanwhile, brings a speed element to the receiver position, running a 4.34-second 40-time coming out of Rutgers last year and has spent most of his time lined up in the slot. Many of the standout plays that Melton has been able to create have either come on slants, or quick in-breaking or out-breaking routes, where he is able to get the ball in space and pick up yards after the catch, or downfield, where he can use his speed to create space. Melton has been able to find the end zone multiple times over the last week.
“I’ve seen a lot of good things from both those guys,” said Matt LaFleur on Monday. “They are different receivers. Malik is kind of your big goonish-type of guy that you know we love around here. He’s very physical. And Bo is a scrapper. He’s a scrappy guy that can really run.”
In recent years we’ve also heard LaFleur refer to Allen Lazard as a “goon” because of his play style and what he was asked to do. Like Heath, Lazard went undrafted before working his way onto the 53-man roster, taking on large roles as both a pass catcher and excellent run-blocking receiver.
Along with Heath and Melton, also in the mix for that sixth receiver role is seventh-round pick Grant DuBose, who was activated off the NFI list on Monday and participated in his first practice as a member of the Packers. What DuBose has going for him is that he is a draft pick, however, as LaFleur has mentioned previously, he is going to be playing catch up. A player can work as hard as they can off the field, but there is no substitution for actual practice reps, especially for rookies.
I’m also not completely sold on the idea that the Packers roster six receivers either. Based on what I’ve seen in training camp so far, we are going to see a lot of two tight end and two running back sets, which means fewer receivers on the field. Also, with how often running backs and tight ends are used in the passing game, coupled with being the sixth receiver on the depth chart, there will likely be little to know opportunities on offense for this player.
With the offensive line, edge rusher, the interior defensive line, safety, and linebacker all being positions where the Packers could go heavy and roster an extra player, the team could choose to use one of their final roster spots at any one of those positions, where there could be a greater impact, rather than on a sixth receiver, whose role will be small. It’s going to be important for DuBose, Melton, and Heath that they be able to contribute on special teams as well.
Heath and Melton have been able to flash over the last week of practices, but now they will need to build upon that momentum during the part of summer where it matters most, with joint practices and preseason games upcoming. Chances are, both players are going to have a lot of opportunities in the preseason games, specifically, with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and perhaps others, on a snap count, and they’ll need to continue capitalizing on those opportunities, showcasing their consistency.
“I think they both have flashed,” added LaFleur. “It’s just about building the consistency in which they go out there, and ultimately they’re going to have to do it in the preseason games.”
[lawrence-related id=96472,96457,96392]