The Green Bay Packers finally checked the wide receiver box in the 2022 draft by trading up and taking North Dakota State’s Christian Watson at No. 34 overall in the second round on Friday night.
The Packers are getting one of the best athletes in the draft and a two-time FCS All-American in Watson.
Want to learn more about Watson, who blew up the NFL Scouting Combine and is one of the most unique receiver prospects in the draft class? Here’s what several prominent draft analysts said about Watson during the pre-draft process:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Watson was an outside receiver in offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s run-heavy scheme. A late bloomer who fell through the recruiting cracks, he developed into one of the best deep threats in the FCS (20.4 yards per reception during his career) with four touchdowns of at least 65 yards in 2021. With his smooth acceleration, Watson displays vertical tempo as a route runner and is quarterback-friendly with the way he works back to the ball and expands his catch radius. He never faced an FBS opponent while at NDSU and will see a sizable jump in speed and physicality when facing NFL competition. Overall, Watson is unpolished as a route runner and must improve his consistency at the catch point, but he is an intriguing size/speed athlete with the explosiveness to win vertically. He projects as a WR4 as a rookie with WR2 upside and offers kick-return experience.”
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: “Watson is a long, rangy wideout with remarkable fluidity and explosiveness. He lined up outside and was primarily used as a vertical weapon at NDSU. He gains ground in a hurry with his long stride, and he can change speeds when the ball goes up in the air. He ran by everyone he played against last season. Watson showed surprisingly good route skill at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in February. He was able to win with quickness off the line and showed the ability to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Packers Wire…