Former UDFA a player to watch as Packers gear up for 2024

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Former undrafted free agent a player to watch as Packers gear up for 2024

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jun 20, 2024 4:38 PM ET

Malik Heath isn't the first wide receiver you'd think of on the Green Bay Packers. Even among a group that doesn't have a ton of superstar power or name recognition for the casual NFL fan, Heath is firmly behind Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks in the pecking order.

Heck, even Bo Melton (16 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown may be more of a known commodity in Green Bay.

That's not to say Heath should be written off as the Packers slowly but surely gear up for the 2024 season, though. In fact, the soon-to-be second year wideout from Ole Miss recently earned some praise from his quarterback.

"Malik is a stud. Last year, he really made a name for himself," Jordan Love told reporters. "I just love his mindset on the field. He's one of the those guys, you just throw it up and he's going to go up there and make a play. He just needs to keep being himself. Keep stacking those days and take advantage of any opportunity he gets and I think there's going to be some more opportunities for him."

If you need Malik he's busy stacking days & making plays.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 19, 2024

If that sounds like a quarterback who isn't afraid to throw the ball Heath's way, it's worth noting that head coach Matt LaFleur has also taken note of the 6-foot-2, 215-pound wideout during minicamp. He looked faster and more explosive, as well as more confident.

"I think physically he's in a much better place," LaFleur told the team website. "He knows the offense a heck of a lot better, so it allows you to play faster and you can move him around a little bit more."

Heath will still have to fight for reps behind Watson, Doubs, Reed and Wicks, but he's a big wideout who showed the ability to make plays as an undrafted rookie. He finished the season with 15 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Four of those catches came in Green Bay's breakout win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, which was a huge turning point on the season.

Malik Heath’s first NFL TD was special

If only we could have gotten that W pic.twitter.com/zmW1zXQ8mi
— Mike Ro (@nuro_mike) March 29, 2024

"Oh, it's going to be competitive," Heath said of training camp. "We've got a lot of receivers, a lot of great DBs over there on the other side of the ball. It's going to be fun."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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