Malik Taylor Bio
Malik Taylor (born December 21, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays in the National Football League. Born in Flint, Michigan, Taylor attended Hill-McCloy High School in Montrose before playing college football at Ferris State University from 2014 to 2017. Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Taylor has built a steady professional career with multiple NFL franchises, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions. Taylor is known for his reliable hands and competitive nature on the field.
Early Life and Background
Malik Taylor was born on December 21, 1995, in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in the Flint area before moving to Montrose, Michigan, where he attended Hill-McCloy High School. During his high school years, Taylor developed his skills as a wide receiver, demonstrating the athletic ability and dedication that would later carry him to the collegiate level. His hometown of Flint has produced several notable football players, and Taylor followed in their footsteps as he pursued his dreams of playing at the highest level of American football.
After graduating from Hill-McCloy High School, Taylor continued his football journey at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. At Ferris State, Taylor played as a wide receiver for the Bulldogs from 2014 to 2017. His collegiate career showed promise, with Taylor emerging as a talented pass-catcher for the program during his time there.
Path to Professional Football
At Ferris State University, Malik Taylor established himself as a productive wide receiver for the Bulldogs football program. He finished his college career with impressive statistics, recording 121 receptions for 2,091 receiving yards. Taylor demonstrated his talent by earning All-GLIAC honors during his junior season, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level against quality collegiate competition.
However, Taylor faced a significant setback during his senior year when he suffered a season-ending injury. Despite this adversity, his overall college performance remained solid, and he entered the 2019 NFL Draft with valuable experience. Despite his collegiate achievements, Taylor went undrafted in April 2019. Nevertheless, his persistence paid off when he signed with an NFL team shortly after the draft, beginning his professional football career.
Malik Taylor Career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Malik Taylor signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 27, 2019. This signing represented his first opportunity at the professional level, though his tenure with the Buccaneers was brief. Taylor was waived by the Buccaneers on May 14, 2019, marking the end of his initial stint with the organization. This early experience, while short-lived, provided Taylor with valuable exposure to NFL training camp and professional football standards.
Green Bay Packers (2019–2022)
Following his release from Tampa Bay, Taylor signed with the Green Bay Packers on July 19, 2019. He was waived during roster cutdowns on August 31 but was quickly signed to the Packers practice squad on September 1, 2019. This pattern of being waived and signed to the practice squad would become familiar early in Taylor’s career, reflecting the competitive nature of NFL roster decisions.
Taylor’s persistence paid off when it was announced on September 5, 2020, that he had made the Packers 53-man roster for the 2020 season. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Taylor recorded his first career reception for 20 yards on a fourth-down play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, a significant milestone in his professional career. He continued to build momentum and caught his first NFL touchdown during Week 7 against the Houston Texans.
Taylor signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Packers on May 21, 2021. He continued contributing to the team during the 2021 season before being placed on injured reserve on December 24, 2021. He signed his tender offer from the Packers on April 18, 2022, to remain with the organization. However, his 2022 season was cut short when he was waived/injured on August 17, 2022, and subsequently placed on injured reserve. He was released from injured reserve on September 15, 2022.
New York Jets (2022–2024)
On December 29, 2022, Malik Taylor signed with the New York Jets practice squad, joining a new organization mid-season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 9, 2023, securing his place on the roster for the 2023 season. Taylor was waived by the Jets on August 29, 2023, but was re-signed to the practice squad on September 12, 2023.
Taylor was elevated to the Jets active roster on November 6, 2023, giving him another opportunity to contribute at the NFL level. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, to remain with the organization for the 2024 season. However, Taylor was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2024, ending his 2024 season prematurely due to injury.
Detroit Lions (2025)
On May 12, 2025, Malik Taylor signed with the Detroit Lions, returning to his home state of Michigan. This signing represented a new chapter in Taylor’s career as he joined an organization with strong Michigan roots. However, his stint with the Lions was brief, as he was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts. Taylor continues to pursue opportunities in professional football following this release.
Playing Style and Strengths
Malik Taylor is known as a reliable wide receiver with solid hands and competitive instincts. His collegiate career at Ferris State showcased his ability to make contested catches and move the chains consistently. Taylor demonstrated his versatility by contributing in multiple facets during his NFL career, including receptions, rushing yards, and return duties. His experience playing for multiple NFL franchises reflects his adaptability to different offensive systems and team cultures.
Malik Taylor Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Malik Taylor has appeared in games with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, accumulating modest but meaningful statistics over five seasons. Taylor’s career has been characterized by perseverance through roster fluctuations and injuries, with multiple practice squad stints and elevations to active rosters.
NFL Statistics
As of the 2023 NFL season, Taylor has recorded 9 receptions for 93 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. He has also contributed 9 rushing yards and 264 return yards throughout his professional career. These statistics reflect a player who has contributed in various offensive and special teams roles during his time in the league.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | New York Jets | 9 | 93 | 1 |
| Career | Multiple | 9 | 93 | 1 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Malik Taylor as he signed with the Detroit Lions in May, returning to his home state of Michigan. Taylor joined a Lions organization that has been building competitive teams in recent years, providing him with an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. However, after participating in training camp and preseason activities, Taylor was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. This release ended his brief tenure with the Lions before the regular season began.
Despite the setback, Taylor remains determined to continue his professional football career. His journey through multiple NFL franchises demonstrates his resilience and commitment to the sport. With experience playing for the Buccaneers, Packers, Jets, and Lions, Taylor has built a reputation as a dependable player who can contribute when given opportunities. He continues to work toward earning another chance in the NFL, drawing on the lessons learned from his experiences at Ferris State and throughout his professional career.