One of the Packers' draft picks was named a 'perfect fit' in Green Bay by NFL.com
One of the Green Bay Packers' biggest objectives in the 2022 NFL Draft was to find quarterback Aaron Rodgers some wide receiver help. The Packers needed to add a wide receiver to the roster due to the trade that sent Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Gree Bay declined to select a wide receiver […]
One of the Green Bay Packers' biggest objectives in the 2022 NFL Draft was to find quarterback Aaron Rodgers some wide receiver help.
The Packers needed to add a wide receiver to the roster due to the trade that sent Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gree Bay declined to select a wide receiver with either of their two first-round picks, deciding instead to go with defensive selections.
Waiting for the right wide receiver proved to be a solid strategy for the Packers, as they landed what NFL.com deemed to be a "perfect fit" in the second round by drafting North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson (No. 34 overall).
The Packers have a history of developing non-first-round wideouts — and Watson could become the next pass-catcher to climb to the top of the charts as an ultra-productive playmaker. The North Dakota State product is a big-play machine with the size (6-4, 208 pounds) and speed to dominate one-on-one battles on the perimeter. Although it might take some time for the small-school standout to adjust to the speed and rhythm of the NFL, Watson could join a growing list of second-round pass catchers (SEE: Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf and Michael Thomas) who quickly outshined their draft status to earn all-star honors. With Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball his way, the rookie is my dark-horse contender for 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Watson has NFL size and he runs a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. That size and speed combination is rare — the Packers were extremely fortunate to find a player with Watson's upside in the second round.
The biggest reason Watson fell to the second round is because he played at North Dakota State (an FCS program). Watson doesn't have a ton of weaknesses. The one thing he can improve on is better using his size as an advantage, but otherwise, he looks like a first-round draft pick that Green Bay managed to land in the second round.
Anytime a franchise can fill a need in the second round with a player that's viewed as a "perfect fit", it's a major win.
Featured image via Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
