Ole Miss receiver Malik Heath signs deal following 2023 NFL Draft

Malik Heath was already among a select few for his college career, as the wideout transferred from Mississippi State to Ole Miss prior to the 2022 season. And now Heath joins another club as he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.

After starting his collegiate career at a junior college, Heath started playing for Mississippi State in 2020. He played two years in Starkville, appearing in 21 games. He caught 71 passes for 749 yards and eight touchdowns in his two seasons there. Then he made the surprise decision to transfer to Ole Miss for the 2022 season.

In 13 games in his one season at Ole Miss, Heath came close to matching that two-season stretch. He caught 60 passes for 971 yards and five touchdowns in his lone year with the Rebels.

Heath, in three years playing in the SEC, had 131 catches for 1720 yards and 13 touchdowns.

A member of the 2019 signing class playing at Callaway (MS) High School, Heath was rated four stars according to the On3 Industry Ranking. After a season of junior college, Heath was considered one of the best up-transfer candidates prior to the 2020 season. He chose Mississippi State and the late Mike Leach to play in the air raid.

And now he has taken the next step, up to the NFL.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Heath

Heath was never going to be a Top 100 pick or anything of the like, but a 6-foot-3, 215 pound receiver is always an intriguing prospect. And with some obvious traits he can hopefully develop around, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein thinks a late-round flier on the wideout could be worthwhile.

“The size and length are appealing, as is the potential to improve his contested-catch success rate, but Heath lacks the burst to back coverages off or separate consistently against press-man. The ball skills show up on tape, but he must become a consistent ball-winner and play to his size. Heath has Day 3 draft potential,” Zierlein said.

Much of the strength of Heath’s game revolves around going up and getting the football. Zierlein likes how Heath finds and tracks deep throws while altering his speed to get in place and how he uses his feet on sideline throws. That, coupled with length and size to bully corners on jump balls, Zierlein sees how Heath can be a productive NFL wideout. He also could become a reliable back shoulder catcher, Zierlein said.