It was quite nice experiencing a NFL Draft that did not feature criticism of the Packers passing on a wide receiver in the first round. The young WR core of the Green Bay Packers put that narrative to rest. This past week, the Packers did not draft a single wide receiver. This suggest that Gutekunst and LaFleur believe they found something in Bo Melton and Malik Heath. Melton and Heath were opportunistic in their playing time and appeared to be reliable depth options in 2023.
The Packers have their core four WRs in Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvian Wicks. However, Jordan Love did not play favorites last year. Love threw a touchdown pass to six different wide receivers in 2023. More so to the point, Love trusted Melton and Heath in high pressure situations. Bo Melton caught a 19 yard touchdown pass in the Divisional Playoff game against San Francisco. While Malik Heath secured an impressed go ahead touchdown catch against the Giants in the fourth quarter.
Melton and Heath seized their opportunities in 2023. Bo Melton showcased his ability to catch the football and make plays after the catch. While being reliable in the passing game as well, Malik Heath, more importantly, showed an impressive blocking ability. The Packers found two solid depth wide receivers in Melton and Heath.
WR Bo Melton
Packers WR Bo Melton emerged onto the scene in Week 16 in Carolina. Melton secured four receptions on six targets for 44 yards. Three of those four receptions led to first downs. None bigger than a 11 yard reception on a 3rd & 10 at the end of the second quarter. Melton made a sliding catch to keep the drive alive which ultimately led to a Dontayvion Wicks touchdown a few plays later.
Melton’s true coming out party, ironically, took place on the year’s biggest night of celebration, New Year’s Eve. Bo Melton had the Vikings defense in shambles. Melton recorded six grabs for 105 yards with one touchdown. The most shocking part of this performance was Melton was left open on all six receptions.
Bo Melton, in the biggest game of the year, proved his reliability. Melton made a beautiful toe drag touchdown catch in the Divisional Round playoff game against the 49ers. Jordan Love faked a wide receiver screen pass to Dontayvion Wicks. The 49ers secondary bit hard on the fake. Melton was left wide open. Love almost overthrew it out of bounds but Melton made a tough catch while keeping his feet in bounds. If the Packers #5 WR on the depth chart is capable of 100+ yard performances and playoff touchdowns, the Packers are in good hands.
WR Malik Heath
Packers WR Malik Heath is an undrafted free agent from Ole Miss. Heath made the initial 53 man roster at the end of training camp. Heath was active for 13 games in 2023. Heath’s best performance came on Thanksgiving day in the Packers beatdown of the Detroit Lions. Heath was targeted four times and caught all four targets. He had 46 receiving yards. The highlight of Heath’s performance in that game was not a reception, it was a block.
The Packers were facing a 2nd and 2 from the Detroit 14 yard line on their opening drive. The Packers lined up with two WRs split to the left. Kraft lined up inside to the right with Heath alone on the outside. RB AJ Dillon lined up in the backfield next to Love in the shotgun. Heath came in motion to the left but turned in the opposition direction at the snap. He picked up Lions CB Amik Roberston driving him 5 yards backwards and into the ground. This created a hole for Dillon between Heath and RT Zach Tom. Dillon picked up 4 yards for the first down. The Packers went on to score a touchdown on this drive.
Malik Heath’s toughness and resiliency are admirable traits. On Monday Night Football against the New York Giants, Heath had the go ahead touchdown knocked out of hands late in the 4th quarter. On the very next play, he made a specular catch at the goal line. Heath was able to extend the ball into the end zone for the touchdown!
In Conclusion
The Green Bay Packers have a loaded WR group. The top four WRs are awfully talented. Watson, Reed, Doubs, and Wicks all have shown rare playmaking ability. There are injury concerns with Watson. Even Reed and Wicks missed time this past season. Ideally, these four remain healthy at all times. If that is not the case, the Packers feel strongly about their depth. Melton and Heath are reliable options. Their ability to catch the ball and block at a high level is not common with most team’s #5 and #6 WRs. Expect Melton and Heath to be members of the 2024 team. These two are trustworthy players.
