NDSU WR Christian Watson is near perfect fit
5 min read
Amongst all the vast receiver prospective customers in the 2022 NFL draft, there may possibly not be a far better in shape for the Green Bay Packers than Christian Watson. The North Dakota Condition star caught everyone’s focus at the mix when he measured in at 6-4 and ran the 40-garden sprint in less than 4.4 seconds. The Packers have a obtrusive hole at extensive receiver and are also the homeowners of a pair of very first-spherical picks. Watson’s mix of sizing and speed has him on Inexperienced Bay’s radar, with the draft established to start off at the end of the month.
Matt LaFleur just lately acknowledged that they need to insert speed to their extensive receiver home next the decline of Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
“We have to have a legit dude that can acquire the top rated off the protection,” LaFleur mentioned, by means of Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
That undoubtedly would describe Watson. North Dakota Point out credits him with 57 plays that went for 20-plus yards, which accounts for 32 % of his profession touches. Inexperienced Bay unquestionably requires assistance in their explosiveness on offense just after getting rid of Valdes-Scantling and their All-Professional in Davante Adams.
Watson would be ready to assistance in this regard as a receiver, runner, and return gentleman. He’s nowhere close to a concluded item, and the Packers would want to surround him with a lot more items if they had been to pick out him. Having said that, Watson is a guy with a significant ceiling who could be a focal stage in LaFleur’s offense for seasons to come.
So you can get a superior being familiar with of why I consider this, permit us dive into some movie.
Christian Watson’s 4.3 speed is definitely current on his tape. Smooth accelerator with imposing vertical velocity. pic.twitter.com/DopoSpO1N6
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 29, 2025
Watson’s timed pace absolutely matches up with his perform speed. He can consume up a defender’s cushion in no time, and by the time they flip their hips, it’s previously too late. The underneath-thrown ball induced a penalty on this perform, but Watson nevertheless could have made the capture. He wants to boost at using his dimension to high-point balls above the leading of defenders.
Watson’s potential fall his excess weight is nearly as spectacular as his capacity to accelerate. pic.twitter.com/5wJDf8A8SH
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 29, 2025
Watson is nowhere close to a completed merchandise as a route runner, but it is well worth noting how considerably he has improved about the a long time. In this article we see him do a excellent job of accelerating to seem as a vertical menace ahead of dropping his fat for a quick hitch route. With Watson, Aaron Rodgers would be capable to get the ball out sizzling for swift yardage.
Unquestionably not a polished route runner. Calls for extra measures to get out of his split. pic.twitter.com/nUhxdocZkH
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 29, 2025
Again, he needs to clean up his route working. This unpolished stem won’t fare much too properly from NFL expertise, but his elite acceleration produces more than enough separation on this play.
Christian Watson looking like Sunshine from Remember the Titans top the charge. pic.twitter.com/jq3w2hA4i3
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 29, 2025
This variety of effort as a blocker is scarce from large receivers, but it is a little something Watson prides himself on as the top team player. Absolutely nothing is beneath him, and if he can sacrifice his body so a teammate can pick up a number of additional yards, or in this case, a landing, so be it. This mentality is generally welcome in Environmentally friendly Bay.
He should’ve been gone pic.twitter.com/QdLG08ngax
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 29, 2025
In this article is a different illustration of his incredible speed but also a further instance of questionable arms. Watson has some drop difficulties that need to have to be resolved at the future stage. With any luck ,, he can appropriate this so this participate in can grow to be a touchdown. But at the very least the deep submit-shot would be alive and perfectly for the Packers with Watson.
Watson performs with a small memory. This was the next play. pic.twitter.com/qnSDqRjiVl
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 29, 2025
Coaches rave about this guy, and for great reason. On the really next rep right after a drop, he demonstrates his actual physical and mental toughness by earning a engage in above the middle as a result of contact. Not to point out, this is also a a great deal cleaner dig route than the just one highlighted previously.
Yet a further motive why Christian Watson would be a good match in Eco-friendly Bay pic.twitter.com/wnsmz2e7h0
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 31, 2025
A selfless, workforce-first player, Watson can affect the game in so numerous methods. No Packers wideout is earlier mentioned blocking, and Watson not only welcomes it, but he thrives at it. This is a man you want on your squad.
Just a significant enjoy waiting to occur pic.twitter.com/KrA2GLBsth
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 31, 2025
Watson’s explosive plays did not just come by means of catches, but jet sweeps and returns, as very well. He is a large-play menace anytime he has the ball in his palms as he takes this jet pass 65-yards to the home. This is the type of wrinkle we see on event from LaFleur, but it by no means will work this nicely. Watson’s athleticism would be unmatched in Eco-friendly Bay’s existing extensive receiver place, and his flexible playmaking would open up up new possibilities within just the offense.
Summary
Watson is every little thing the Packers require in a receiver. He’s significant, rapid, and functional. He would be capable to contribute ideal away in the MVS job with lots of space to develop into a participant that is additional than just a deep threat. Consider Watson with the 28th pick, and don’t seem again.
