Since Matt LaFleur arrived in Green Bay, the Packers have embraced one particular kind of receiver: the goon.

Whatever term you like — and LaFleur’s is probably the best because it’s the funniest — the goon receiver is simple: he’s a big, physical player who will rely more on muscle than speed to make his plays.

Allen Lazard is the archetypal goon and could masquerade as a tight end if the circumstances called for it. Equanimeous St. Brown did goon-esque things from time to time, as did Jake Kumerow during his time in Green Bay.

Now, it appears Malik Heath is ready to take up the mantle. 

“They are looking for a goon, so I’m going to try and fill that role,” Heath said over the weekend. “I’m going to try to do anything to make this team.”

He’s already done some goon-like things, but what interests me is the road he’s taken to this point. Because it’s been a long one, and it shows that the path to the NFL is rarely straight.

Who is Malik Heath?

Now a rookie wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, Heath has been a big contributor just about everywhere he’s been to this point. A four-star recruit in high school, Heath initially committed to Mississippi State University but de-committed in favor of junior college when head coach Dan Mullen left Mississippi State for Florida.

But after two years at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (go Wolves!), Heath ultimately did land at Mississippi State. However, Heath got himself into a spot of trouble before he could play in a single game for the Bulldogs. In mid-August, 2020, Heath was arrested on five charges including driving under the influence after he was caught driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. He went on to appear in 10 games in his first season, catching 37 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns.

He produced at about the same level in 2021, catching 34 balls for 442 yards and another five touchdowns. However, he again found himself in some trouble on the roads, though this time through no fault of his own. In December 2021, he was involved in a serious car accident — so serious that he had to be airlifted to the hospital. 

Heath required surgery after his accident, but made a full recovery prior to entering the transfer portal, landing at Mississippi. He’s never fully elaborated on the decision, though hinted that he didn’t particularly like Mike Leach’s interpretation of the Air Raid offense. He may have been on to something, because he was more productive at Mississippi than he was in two years combined at Mississippi State. Playing across from future NFL second-round pick Jonathan Mingo, Heath pulled down 60 passes for 971 yards and seven touchdowns, including a six-catch, 100-yard performance against Kentucky, ranked #7 in the country at the time. Heath actually outpaced Mingo, who managed just 51 catches for 861 yards and five touchdowns.

Why did Malik Heath go undrafted?

So if he was so productive and resilient, putting up good to great numbers everywhere despite being something of an itinerant receiver, why did Malik Heath go undrafted last spring?

Well, there are a few reasons, but one is quite obvious: Heath tested really badly at the 2023 NFL Combine. Despite having the big frame that most teams covet, Heath did poorly in just about every drill relating to speed. Look how he stacks up against Mingo. It’s a landslide for Mingo. Even in the 3-cone drill, where Heath actually beats Mingo, he’s still not great. 

That speed was a concern for just about every evaluator you might care to read. Dane Brugler of The Athletic said “Heath doesn’t have the desired speed or linear burst for the position.” Lance Zerlein of NFL.com said he “lacks take-off burst.” At NFLDraftBuzz.com they said he “does not have elite speed.” You get the point; he’s not a burner.

Will Malik Heath make the Packers’ roster?

But as we pointed out at the start, he can still be a goon for Matt LaFleur. So how does he fit into the Packers’ offense?

There are two obvious ways. First, he can provide versatility in the receiving corps. The Packers have broken their big receiver tendency a bit over the past year, adding Bo Melton and Jayden Reed, but they seem to think of that pair primarily as slot receivers, limiting their role a bit. If Heath can show that he’s capable of playing in the slot in addition to being a big option outside, that will go a long way toward securing a roster spot.

There’s some evidence — though admittedly not much — that he can play in the slot. He played four snaps in the slot against the Bengals after showing up for 45 snaps in the slot in his final college season. If he can build on that, he has a chance to become another version of Allen Lazard.

But the second way — and, admittedly, the more Lazard-esque route — is via his run blocking. If he can block in the ground game, Matt LaFleur will find him a job, either on the initial 53-man roster or on the practice squad.

There’s some reason for optimism on that count, too. Heath graded out pretty well, call it good but not great, as a blocker in college. But importantly he’s got the body to do it, and if he’s willing, the Packers can probably find a use for him. He’s already shown he can make a difference if he gets a chance.