3 Reasons Christian Watson was a great pick by the Green Bay Packers
Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft set the stage for Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst to draft a wide receiver to replace Davante Adams
Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft was a bit of a letdown, yet a successful first round that saw the Green Bay Packers pass on a wide receiver for defense.
After free agency and trading Davante Adams Going into Day 2, Packers fans had to know that General Manager Brian Gutekunst would add a weapon for Aaron Rodgers, right? On Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Wide receiver.
They originally had two picks on Day 2 near the bottom of the draft. They stood pat on ay1, but Brian Gutekunst decided to be aggressive and trade. They found a partner in the New York Giants and selected Christian Watson, making him the first wideout off the board on Day 2.
Green Bay Packers needed to add another wide receiver
Simply put, the Packers needed another wide receiver. Brian Gutekunst had no interest in trading up for a guy until Day 2, where he got value.
Historically speaking, Day 2 is exactly the spot the Packers like to take wideouts. In fact, they drafted Davante Adams with the 53rd pick in 2014.
Eight years later, they drafted the guy who will replace him in time. It’s good to know the Packers would not rely on Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, and Allen Lazard as their primary targets.
Replaces Marquez Valdes-Scantling for Green Bay Packers
The 2021 off-season didn’t see the Packers lose one wide receiver, they lost two. After trading Davante Adams, they allowed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to walk via free agency.
There’s no replacing Adams’ production, but Christian Watson is the perfect replacement for Valdes-Scantling. Watson is a long rangy wideout who ideally fits on the boundary.
Watson has great acceleration and the ability to make plays downfield. The North Dakota wideout is a solid route-runner who gets in and out of breaks better than his size suggests.
He could come in and do exactly what Valdes-Scanting did. He’ll stretch the field until he gets more comfortable in the offense.
High ceiling prospect
Christian Watson is all traits. The former North Dakota wideout stands at 6-4 208-pounds. He blazed at the combine, running a sub 4.4 40-yard dash.
He’s a better route runner than Marquez Valdes-Scantling was coming out, thanks to his ability to sink his hips and route tree he ran in a pro-style offense. Watson also has elite ball skills, which showed up on tape and at the Senior Bowl.
He high-points the ball using every bit of his 78-inch wingspan and big hands. Watson may end up in the Pro Bowl sooner rather than later.