Who Should I Start? Malik Heath or Xavier Smith

Sunday, November 16, 11:53 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath (coach's decision) did not travel with the team to New Jersey for Sunday's Week 11 contest against the New York Giants. He is officially inactive as a healthy scratch. We don't know the details behind Heath's absence, but typically, decisions like these are made for disciplinary reasons. However, it's rare to see a coaching staff leave a player on the 53-man roster off the flight for non-injury reasons. Nevertheless, Heath will be inactive for the first time this season. He has caught all six of his targets for 86 yards this season. His void will be filled by Savion Williams, who should fill a depth role behind Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden.

Saturday, August 16, 11:52 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith caught all four of his targets for 48 receiving yards during Saturday's preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also rushed for five yards. Smith has been quite productive this summer. He paced the team with 55 receiving yards last week, and he now has a total of eight touches and 108 scrimmage yards through two preseason contests. NFL opportunities have been few and far between for the 27-year-old Florida A&M product, but he did total six receiving yards, 36 rushing yards, and a pair of first downs in 2024. Los Angeles' first four wide receiver spots are essentially locked up, which means they only have two or three spots to divide over seven remaining receivers (Smith, Tru Edwards, Mario Williams, Konata Mumpfield, Drake Stoops, Britain Covey, and Brennan Presley).