Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Malik Heath heightened expectations for himself with a strong performance during the offseason workout program, and now coach Matt LaFleur is excited to see what the undrafted free agent can do in new, game-like situations.
“I think he is a talented young player, a guy we look forward to putting in some situations and seeing how he responds in games,” LaFleur said Friday.
Heath, who caught 60 passes and scored nine touchdowns during his senior season at Ole Miss, consistently made plays during OTAs and minicamps, earning himself a handful of first-team reps. Asked about the rookie on Friday, LaFleur provided a long, detailed answer.
“Malik has done a lot of great things,” LaFleur said. “He’s a strong, strong football player. He can run through contact, he does a good job releasing off the line of scrimmage, widening corners when he gets press coverage, ripping through, he’s got really good ball skills and he’s a bigger guy. Malik has shown us what he can do, now it’s about the consistency of which he does it. Like all young players, it’s all about that, just how consistent can you do it down in and down out.”
Heath (6-2, 213) is among a handful of players competing for a back-end roster spot at receiver. With Grant DuBose on the non-football injury list and Dontayvion Wicks now dealing with a concussion, opportunities are open for a receiver like Heath.
Becoming more consistent is a difficult process for young players.
LaFleur specifically mentioned a play during Thursday’s practice in which Heath ran the wrong route and was visibly disappointed afterward.
“Mistakes are going to happen, it’s all about how you respond,” LaFleur said.
Heath has the physical tools the Packers covet at receiver. LaFleur is certainly intrigued. Can the rookie put together a strong training camp and earn a spot on the 53-man roster?
