The Green Bay Packers’ five best receivers have solidified their spot atop the depth chart. While the Packers lack a true No. 1 wideout option, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks are ready and able to step up. Bo Melton showed he could be an impact player at the end of last season, and his spot seems pretty safe. The Packers rarely keep more than six WRs, leaving just one spot up for grabs.
The Packers have three guys who are vying for that spot. Samori Toure is the most experienced of the group but saw his play time diminish last season. Malik Heath made the roster out of training camp as an undrafted free agent last season. Grant DuBose basically took a red-shirt season last year while he battled injuries.
This offseason, all of them are turning heads and trying to prove they deserve a chance to be that sixth receiver. But who should get it?
First, we should acknowledge that the Packers have three other receivers on the roster. Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley, and former quarterback and UFL MVP Alex McGough are also in the wideout room providing competition. However, they are longshots to make the roster.
Grant DuBose
The Packers took DuBose out of the University of South Florida in the seventh round of last year’s draft. However, he dealt with injuries throughout the last offseason and spent his rookie year on the practice squad. DuBose did not dress for any of the Packers games but has been solid throughout camp.
DuBose is a tough player who excels in contested catch situations. He’ll need to keep proving that as the offseason goes along to have a shot at the roster this fall.
Samori Toure
Toure played in 11 games both years he’s been in Green Bay after being a seventh-round selection out of Nebraska. Despite seeing a fair amount of action, he has not had a season with double-digit receptions. Toure has only scored one touchdown in his two years with the Packers.
Toure saw his reps diminish as last season progressed, and players like Wicks and Heath jumped him on the depth chart. Toure must show out at training camp to prove he’s worth keeping around.
Malik Heath
The Ole Miss product worked his way onto the roster as an undrafted free agent last season, and he’s impressed this offseason. Heath is looking to prove that last year was no fluke. Head coach Matt LaFleur highlighted Heath’s performance.
“I think physically he’s in a much better place. He’s a little bit lighter,” LaFleur said. “Obviously, 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. So we’re really excited to see him and what he can do once we get to the preseason and those game-like situations.”
Heath hauled in 15 catches for 125 yards a score last season. He wasn’t one of Green Bay’s most productive receivers, but it wasn’t too shabby for a UDFA at the bottom of the depth chart. Heath’s strength comes in his willingness and effectiveness to block in the run game. LaFleur loves a wideout who can block, and Heath is not shy when engaging with corners in the run game.
Among all these players fighting for the last spot on the roster, Heath seems to have the inside track. Toure appears to be on the outside looking in. DuBose is still unknown because of the injury history, but there’s still a lot of offseason left. After coming on strong at the end of last season, Heath has carried that momentum into the offseason and is the favorite for that sixth spot right now.
All stats and data via Green Bay Packers and ESPN, unless otherwise noted.
