Green Bay Packers: WR Christian Watson
Yes, I’m picking on a rookie. Watson’s physical tools are clear (a comp to former NFL receiver Vincent Jackson feels apt), and the Packers clearly believe in his potential after trading up to make him an early second-round pick in April. Early reports he was struggling during offseason work have to be taken with a big grain of salt too, and that appears to have reversed later in OTAs anyway. A small school standout and the small market of Green Bay could be a nice match.
But Watson is making the big jump from the FCS at North Dakota State to the NFL. His best season as a Bison was his last, with 43 catches for 801 yards and seven touchdowns over 12 games. Even accounting for less than high-level quarterback play, you’d hope for more dominant-looking numbers playing against competition that shouldn’t be able to cover him.
Ideally, the Packers wouldn’t necessarily need Watson to make an immediate impact. But with only Allen Lazard seemingly clearly ahead of him in the wide receiver pecking order, they need him to hit the ground running. Sammy Watkins can’t be trusted to stay healthy, Randall Cobb is old and anything notable gotten from two other rookies (Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure) has to be considered a bonus right now.
The list of FCS receivers who’ve made it big in the NFL is short, if it exists at all. Watson could defy that and become the next star the Packers unearth at wide receiver. But at this point, it’s hard to say he’s much more than a combine workout warrior and patently overrated.
Want your voice heard? Join the SideLion Report team!