WR Malik Heath makes Packers' initial 53-man roster

Second-year wide receiver Malik Heath is making the Green Bay Packers’ initial 53-man roster in 2024, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Big and physical, with the ability to block and play special teams and now the experience of his rookie season under his belt, Heath is an ideal role player in a loaded depth chart at receiver for the Packers.

Heath led the team in targets (15), receptions (9) and receiving yards (83) during the preseason. He also caught a 7-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-4 during the Packers’ preseason finale win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Of his nine catches, six created first downs or touchdowns.

Heath made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie last year. He caught 15 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown over 13 regular season games and 260 snaps played. Among his catches was a go-ahead touchdown against the New York Giants in December.

Heath actually had a catch in eight straight regular season games to end 2023. He caught all four of his targets for 46 yards in the Packers’ season-changing win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.

Heath’s inclusion on the 53-man roster nearly guarantees the Packers will keep six receivers on the initial roster. The only question left is if the Packers keep Grant DuBose as the seventh.