The Green Bay Packers seem to have found a diamond in the rough with undrafted free agent wide receiver Malik Heath. The young pass catcher has been drawing praise from coaches, other players, media, and fans ever since OTA’s. The praises have only become more frequent as the preseason has gone on.
Related: Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Malik Heath Garners High Praise from Head Coach Matt LaFleur
At this point, Heath has a definite chance to make the Packers’ 53-man roster. However, before head coach Matt LaFleur would commit to that happening, he named one particular part of Heath’s game that he and the front office need to see more of from him in the last days of training camp.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Needs to See More of Malik Heath on Special Teams
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
There is no question that Heath has proven his value in the passing game. In fact, the only Packers wide receiver with a higher PFF grade than him so far this preseason in Romeo Doubs.
However, if Heath is going to make the roster, it will be as the team’s sixth wide receiver. With Christian Watson, Doubs, Samori Toure, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks ahead of him on the depth chart, he may not see very many opportunities on offense.
Because of this, he will have to make an impact on special teams, something LaFleur said he has yet to see much of:
#Packers HC Matt LaFleur on UDFA Malik Heath:
“I love his competitive spirit. I love how he goes out there and competes whether it’s in the run game or in the pass game. We’ve got to get him more of an opportunity to showcase what he can do on (special) teams.”
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) August 22, 2023
In typical LaFleur fashion, he put the burden on himself to ensure that Heath gets reps on special teams during practice. This will most likely happen as it appears that LaFleur really likes what Heath brings to the table as a wide receiver.
According to PFF snap counts, Heath has played 65 offensive snaps. This is by far the most snaps played by a wide receiver on the team this preseason. The next closest wide receiver is Toure, who has played 55. No other wide receiver has played more than 39 (Wicks).
Obviously, Heath has been fun to watch and is immensely talented. It is a good bet that LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia get him the looks he needs on special teams so that he can cement a spot on the roster.
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