After the Green Bay Packers used multiple high selections on the wide receiver position in the 2025 NFL Draft, everyone knew there would eventually be some unpopular roster casualties.
The Packers have been loaded at the receiver position for the past handful of years, even though that position group has carried some question marks. They've had a ton of young, talented players, and they've unearthed a couple of gems along the way. One of those gems they found was former undrafted free agent Malik Heath, who instantly became a fan favorite after his first training camp and preseason with the team back in 2023.
As quickly as his time in Green Bay got off the ground, it's now come to an end, officially. The Packers placed Heath on the waiver wire and may have even hoped to get him back onto the practice squad, but he was plucked away by the Atlanta Falcons.
Falcons snatch Malik Heath off of waiver wire; Packers hopes of reunion completely dashed
Falcons claimed former Packers WR Malik Heath off waivers. Heath now goes to Atlanta from Green Bay.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2025
Heath not only made the roster as a feel-good story in 2023, but he made some pretty significant contributions as well. He caught a touchdown pass that year and actually played 260 offensive snaps.
He caught another pair of touchdowns in his second NFL season, even though his snap count went down by nearly 100 snaps in the same number of games (13).
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His snap count was back up to 212 in the first 13 games this year, but when you don't play special teams, you're eventually going to be the odd man out. Through his first three NFL seasons, Heath failed to capture a role on special teams, playing just 156 total special teams snaps in three seasons.
The Falcons might feel like Heath can immediately contribute to their offense, and they might be right. The Packers want to continue getting Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams more touches.
Heck, Bo Melton has earned more touches as of late. He just had a long touchdown catch in the Packers' Week 14 win over the Chicago Bears; he plays special teams, and he also flipped over to the defensive side of the ball to prove his versatility playing two ways.
It's a shame to see a former undrafted free agent Cinderella story come to an end, but the clock typically strikes midnight on these types of players. Heath will have a shot to bounce back in another NFL city, but the Packers' hopes of getting him back to the practice squad -- if that was even their goal in the first place -- are officially dashed.