NFL Draft Profile: Malik Heath, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss Rebels
Malik Heath
Ole Miss Rebels
#4
Pos: WR
Ht: 6023
Wt: 213
Hand: 0918
Arm: 3248
Wing: 7978
40: 4.64
DOB: 3/3/2000
Hometown: Jackson, MS
High School: Callaway
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liners
A really well-built X wideout, Heath has really intriguing physical traits, but he still has a ways to go to reach his potential.
Evaluation:
In Ole Miss’ offense, Heath plays as the X receiver, for the most part on the right side of the field. He has great size and length, to go along with a well put together frame. Heath is exactly where he needs to be in terms of play strength as well. Off the hoof, Heath looks like an NFL receiver. He was a big part of the Ole Miss’s passing attack but they mostly leaned on their really effective rushing attack. Heath was used a lot as a blocker, where he struggled with technique. He kept his hands too wide and was a little too reckless. There were times where Heath should have been called for holding. At times, Heath lacks the willingness to block as well or whiffs on a block. The traits are all there for him to be a good blocker, so a receiver coach is going to have to work with him to get there. As a wideout, Heath is an easy mover for his size. He is smooth for a bigger wideout, with no clunkiness or tightness in his game. Heath doesn’t possess a ton of vertical speed and in press man coverage, couldn’t take the top off the defense. He did show the ability to stack defenders but he wasn’t able to create separation from them deep. Heath was schemed a lot of touches, where he found himself wide open on film. Ole Miss had him run crossing routes, where he’d find himself wide open. Heath needs a lot of work on his route running. He has some quickness to his game but he doesn’t take precise cuts, which allows defenders to recover. His route tree is very limited right now, making him someone who could need a lot of work in that area. His looseness, good enough speed and size should allow him to run enough routes but there is a long way to go there. Overall, Heath is a developmental X receiver, who has great size and change of direction. He needs a lot of work on his route running and blocking, making him someone who shouldn’t be trusted to see the field early on in his career. Heath upside should warrant a team drafting him on day three.
Grade:
6th Round
Background:
Malik Heath was the number one player in Mississippi coming out of high school. The four-star prospect spent two seasons at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he amassed 61 receptions, 835 yards, and seven touchdowns in 17 games. He then went to Mississippi State, where his best season resulted in 34 catches, 442 yards, and five touchdowns. Heath transferred prior to his senior season in favor of Lane Kiffin’s offense to the late Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. The decision turned out well for Heath as he excelled with 52 receptions, 834 yards, and four touchdowns in 2022.
