WR Christian Watson Green Bay Packers Last Unsigned Draft Pick
By Paul Bretl
On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers announced that they had signed their fourth-round picks, Romeo Doubs and Zach Tom, to their rookie contracts.
According to PFF ($$), Doubs was on the field for 2,231 career snaps and was called one of the more “polished players” by GM Brian Gutekunst. Doubs was a big play threat at Nevada, finishing third among all receivers in downfield receiving yards in 2020. He is also an experienced punt returner, averaging 12.4 yards over 37 career attempts.
Tom, meanwhile, brings more versatility to this Green Bay Packers offensive line, playing left tackle and center while at Wake Forest. Many draft analysts believe that he is best suited to play one of the interior positions in the NFL, but Gutey would mention that he believes he can play tackle as well–and the chances are that this summer, he is going to get his fair share of opportunities both inside and out.
With Doubs and Tom now under contract, that leaves second-round pick Christian Watson as the only unsigned Green Bay Packers draft pick.
However, if you’re concerned or wondering what is taking so long, there really is no reason to be. As Ken Ingalls, Packers’ salary cap guru on Twitter points out, this really isn’t a “delay,” but the big reason that a deal isn’t completed yet is more so due to the two sides negotiating how much of Watson’s contract will be guaranteed.
Ken would also mention that the 34th overall pick in last year’s draft had 78.98% of his contract guaranteed and that Watson likely wants more. For some added context from Ken, the 37th pick in this year’s draft received almost 10% more in guaranteed money over the 37th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
To take this one step further, out of all the second-round selections this year, only 11 have signed contracts at this time, according to Spotrac, and only one of those players was selected in the top-43. So again, there really isn’t anything to be concerned about.
In this Green Bay Packers offense, it remains to be seen how quickly Watson can become a go-to option for Aaron Rodgers, but right away, he is going to bring big play ability, averaging 21.3 yards per catch over his career at North Dakota State.
Watson is also a willing run blocker and someone who can be used as a motion man and on gadget plays as well with that 4.36-speed of his. Meanwhile, on special teams, he was an All-American kick returner in college–averaging 26.4 yards per return on 26 attempts.
"“He (Watson) has the total package,” Randall Cobb said via NFL.com. “Just being around him for the past week and seeing some of the things he can do, he has all the tools. He’s very gifted. It’s about applying it, taking the stuff he learns in the classroom, taking it to the field. He has the tools. It’s about refining those tools. And it takes time.”"