The Green Bay Packers have had quite an unexpected training camp battle unfolding this year at wide receiver. Undrafted free agents Malik Heath out of Ole Miss and Bo Melton out of Rutgers have both been impressing the coaching staff throughout the offseason.
They are very likely battling it out for one spot on the 53-man roster. Five players look locked into spots at wide receiver; Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Samori Toure and Dontayvion Wicks. The sixth and final spot could go to Heath or Melton.
Heath has been making his impact in a different way than Melton. The former Rebel has been catching passes regularly going back to OTAs and is standing out as an offensive performer. While receptions are what will garner highlights, it is the dirty work that will endear Heath to the Packers’ coaching staff.
In the first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he provided just that. Heath laid a devastating block to a Bengals’ cornerback on a called quarterback keeper. He drove his opponent out of bounds and eventually drew a penalty.
Many people would refer to such a play as a ‘goon’ play. Normally, that isn’t something that would be applauded, but for the Packers, being a goon is an endearing thing. It is what head coach Matt LaFleur would routinely refer to former wide receiver Allen Lazard as.
With Lazard moving on in free agency and signing a deal with the New York Jets, there is an opening for such a role to be filled in 2023. Heath is submitting his application for the ‘goon’ role in the Packers’ offense.
“They are looking for a goon, so I’m going to try and fill that role,” Heath said Sunday. “I’m going to try to do anything to make this team.”
Standing 6’2” and weighing 213 pounds, physicality is certainly something that Heath can bring to the field. Run-blocking isn’t a foreign concept to him, as he did it at Ole Miss, which will certainly improve his chances of making the 53-man roster.
As the sixth wide receiver, few, if any, snaps will be available offensively to make plays. Heath will have to stand out in other ways and thus far he is accomplishing that with his blocking ability.
