Last season, the Green Bay Packers faced the tall task of replacing the receiving capabilities of Davante Adams. They attempted to do this by drafting Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure, as well as signing Sammy Watkins in free agency. In addition, they were banking on improved seasons from Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
Unfortunately, it did not go smoothly. Last year’s rookies showed promise, but were, well, rookies. Watkins was released before the season even ended and Lazard and Cobb did little to make up for the loss of Adams.
This season, Green Bay now needs to replace Lazard and Cobb, which obviously is not as tall of a task as replacing an All-Pro. That being said, Lazard in particular brought a key skill to the offense that is not so easily replaced as one may think: blocking.
Matt LaFleur’s offense calls for wide receivers to be excellent blockers in the run game down field. This was a role, termed “the goon,” that Lazard excelled at. Now the Packers need a new goon, and undrafted rookie wide receiver Malik Heath sees it as his way onto the 53-man roster.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Malik Heath Is Trying to “Be the Goon”
In an interview with Mike Spofford of packers.com, Heath said of his potential role:
“They’re looking for a goon, so I’m going to try to fill that role. I’m going to try to do anything I can to make the team.”
Heath was also the Packers’ third-leading receiver on Friday against the Bengals, totaling three receptions for 36 yards. He also had a crucial block during the game. Heath blocked Bengals cornerback Marvell Tell all the way out of bounds on a 13-yard run. Tell was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when he reacted to Heath’s block.
With Watson, Doubs, Toure, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks near-locks to make the 53-man roster, Heath is going to have to excel at the dirty work in order to make the team. Part of that will be playing well on special teams. Part of it will be blocking.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said:
“Blocking’s not always the sexy thing to do … but that’s an important part of our offense. All in all the receivers did a really nice job blocking.”
Heath will have to contend with roster hopefuls Bo Melton and Grant DuBose at his position, and then also perform better on special teams than players from multiple positions. If he does, he could be an incredibly fun player to watch.
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