Green Bay Packers 2 Round Mock Draft Battle
By Matt LeVene
Round 2, Pick 53 for the Green Bay Packers
Matt’s Pick: Christian Watson, WR, NDSU
The hype around Watson has been building as the draft nears, and if Green Bay is able to select the 6-foot 5-inch receiver with 4.36 forty-time speed, they should jump at the opportunity. It may be tempting to select one of the big-name receiving threats in the first round, but if we know the Green Bay Packer front office, we know they have a keen eye for Day 2 receiving talent. Watson dominated the FCS at North Dakota State University, and showed just how well his skills translate at the next level while competing at the Senior Bowl. His performance there caught the eyes of scouts across the league.
The running joke that the Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002 lives on in this mock draft. However, Watson has as high of a ceiling as anyone in this draft class and has the physical tools to become a true WR1 in the league. Also, he has the versatility to be a factor in the return game, something Green Bay desperately needs.
The Packers, even with the signing of Sammy Watkins, lack a big-time pass-catcher who can win the 50/50 ball consistently. After the departure of Davante Adams, there is a big hole in the receiver’s room, and Watson can play a huge role in filling the void left by Adams. If Watson is on the board at 53, it is a no-brainer.
Kenny’s Pick” George Pickens, WR, Georgia
A second receiver in the first two rounds! What more could you want? Pickens is the exact kind of athletic prospect with big physical tools that the Green Bay Packers love. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, had a great 10’5” broad jump, and did all of that at 6’3” 195 pounds.
His size and speed combination made him a great deep threat at Georgia and his most memorable play in college was a 52-yard diving catch in the National Championship game against Alabama. He sat out most of the 2021 season after tearing his ACL last spring but had a great freshman season with 49 catches for 727 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games, followed up by 36 catches for 513 yards in just eight games in 2020.
While Pickens doesn’t quite have the same big production that others in this class have due to his injury that kept him out this past year, what he put on film those first two years is enough to make him a big-time prospect. Some even have him projected as a first-round pick, so to get him here would be an absolute steal.