Instant Takeaways from Packers Trade Up & Selection of Christian Watson
By Paul Bretl
Well, the Green Bay Packers got their wide receiver, and it took an aggressive move up the draft board to do so. The Packers would trade away both second-round picks to Minnesota in order to jump up to pick 34 to select North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson.
Instant Takeaways from Green Bay Packers selecting Christian Watson
– Regardless of what trade value chart you look at, the Green Bay Packers gave up quite a bit more than Minnesota in order to make this trade happen. According to the Rich Hill model, picks 53 and 59 total 197 points, while pick 34 is worth 175 points. However, that may have been the added cost of business in dealing with a division rival.
– According to Chad Graff, who covers the Vikings for The Athletic, the Packers tried to trade back into Round 1 at pick 32 in order to get Watson. It’s clear that they love what he can offer.
– While it was an aggressive move, as mentioned above if that’s your guy and there is a massive positional need like the Packers have at receiver–then go and get him. We also saw another run on receivers begin in the 40s and had they stayed put; they may have missed out once again.
– From a size and athletic standpoint, Watson is traditionally what the Green Bay Packers covet at the position. He measured in at 6’4″ – weighed 208 pounds, and posted a RAS of 9.96 with a 4.36-second 40-time.
– He will immediately help fill the void left by MVS as a deep threat in this offense. In addition to the big-play ability he will add, having that home run threat will also open up the passing game for others and create better spacing overall. Watson averaged 21.3 yards per catch over his career, per PFF ($$).
– The big-play ability is likely how Watson is going to make the biggest impact right away, but he also has experience out of the backfield, and will likely be utilized as a motion man as well. Matt LaFleur will have to find ways to get him the ball in space.
– Watson was an All-American return man at NDSU, averaging 26.4 yards per return over his career on 26 attempts.
– In 2021, Watson averaged 8.2 YAC per catch and 4.28 yards per route run, according to PFF. For some context, those are some big-time figures.
– Another aspect of Watson’s game that LaFleur will love is that he is a willing blocker in the run game–and we all know how important that is.
– The upside that Watson possesses is up there with the top receivers in this draft class, however, it may take some time to unlock it as his game develops and expands. Overall, he is relatively inexperienced with 145 targets over four seasons coming from the run-heavy NDSU offense.
– As I alluded to, his immediate contributions will come on special teams, as a vertical threat, and on gadget plays, but he has the potential to develop into a true game-changer–Watson just may not be the guy right away.
– Christian Watson’s pre-draft report from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
"“A receiver prospect with intriguing measurables and a strong belief in the team aspect of the game, Watson possesses an alluring combination of size and speed. He showed off improved route running and catch strength in 2021. He is much more gifted than his opposition was at NDSU and needs to prove he can elevate his game against bigger, faster players at the next level. He plays hard and fast but needs to add a few more pounds and learn to impose his frame on the coverage. He’s a field-stretching option requiring a linear route tree and projects as a capable WR3/4 with more work.”"