The Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver room has been a glaring weak spot all season, and their latest move signals a clear attempt to address it. With Drake London sidelined, the Falcons' pass-catching corps managed just four receptions for a meager 31 yards in their recent blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks - a 37-9 defeat that officially ended their playoff hopes. It's been a rough stretch for Atlanta's offense, and the lack of production from the wideouts has only magnified the issue.
In response, the Falcons have claimed wide receiver Malik Heath off waivers, parting ways with safety Jordan Fuller to make room on the roster. Heath becomes the second external receiver added in the past three weeks, joining a group that has also seen practice squad elevations like Dylan Drummond and Deven Thompkins. The move could also spell the end of Casey Washington’s time in Atlanta, as the rookie wideout has been a healthy scratch despite the team’s desperate need for help at the position.
Heath, a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss, arrives in Atlanta after a short and underwhelming stint with the Green Bay Packers. His opportunity in Green Bay was limited - just six catches for 86 yards this season - and he was waived after slipping down the depth chart following the Packers’ selection of rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite the limited snaps, Heath showed flashes when given the chance. He developed a bit of chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love and made a few highlight-worthy grabs in a crowded receiver room.
But with playing time scarce, and a healthy scratch in Week 11 against the Giants, the writing was on the wall. The Packers moved on, and now the Falcons are hoping Heath can provide a spark to a unit that desperately needs one.
What makes this move intriguing is the opportunity it presents for Heath. In Green Bay, he was buried behind a deep crop of young talent.
In Atlanta, he steps into a receiver group that’s been rotating through names like Drummond, Thompkins, Washington, and KhaDarel Hodge behind Darnell Mooney and David Sills V. With London still sidelined and the offense searching for answers, Heath could quickly find himself in the mix for meaningful reps.
While his impact might be limited in the short term - especially with a quick turnaround for Thursday Night Football against the Buccaneers - the final stretch of the season could offer him a real chance to carve out a role. The Falcons have little left to play for in terms of postseason stakes, but that opens the door for evaluations and auditions, especially at a position group that’s likely to be a major focus in the offseason.
Heath brings a physical presence and downfield ability that Atlanta has lacked outside of London. If he can translate the flashes he showed in Green Bay into consistent production, he could make a strong case to stick around beyond this season. And with Washington’s role already diminishing before his recent healthy scratches, the writing may be on the wall for the rookie’s future in Atlanta.
It’s been a season of offensive frustration for the Falcons, but this late-season addition is more than just a roster shuffle - it’s a chance to see if Malik Heath can be part of the solution moving forward.