Christian Watson should be a big part of Packers offense vs. Lions

Christian Watson will be available for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday after being listed as questionable and spending the week working his way through concussion protocol. Without a practice squad elevation at the receiver position on Saturday, it was a good sign for Watson’s availability.

Watson returned from a hamstring injury against Buffalo, his first action since Week 5. Unfortunately, he left early with a concussion following a 12-yard catch and run.

Both Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers mentioned throughout this week that Watson was going to be a big part of the game plan verse the Bills, specifically as a deep threat–an element that has very much been missing from the Packers offense this season.

When available, Watson has primarily been utilized as the motion man, which has helped create running lanes with the attention that he draws, along with most of his receptions coming around the line of scrimmage. If we take Week 1 out of the mix, where he was targeted downfield twice, since then, Watson’s average depth of target is only just under one yard per PFF ($$).

Perhaps LaFleur and Co. were trying to bring him along more slowly because of all the time he missed, not only this season but over the summer. However, with the Packers at 3-5 and sorely missing that big play threat, it’s time to see what Watson can do by sending him on more vertical routes and crossers.

Even if he isn’t targeted heavily but is running these types of routes, the entire offense can benefit from his presence. Despite being an unproven player, defenses will have to account for his speed, which will help create better spacing overall, and more quality opportunities for underneath routes and in the run game.

Although the passing game has very much underperformed this season, Watson, along with the other Green Bay receivers, has big game potential this week against Detroit.

Across the board, the Lions have the worst defense in the NFL statistically, and their secondary, in particular, has struggled, ranking 27th in yards allowed, 32nd in yards per pass attempt, and last in completion percentage given up.

Step one for Watson was getting cleared to play, and now with that hurdle cleared, there is the possibility for him to leave his mark on a game that is a must-win for the Packers.