


Many Packers fans want Watson to have a Randy Moss-type impact in his rookie season. But even with that, the Packers have seemed to find a way to bring along some of their younger players slowly. The days of bringing along rookies slowly in the NFL seem to have passed. The Packers have Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Sammy Watkins on their roster, and they are projected to see the bulk of the playing time to start the season. Other veteran members of the Green Bay Packers wide receiver group will also take some pressure off of Watson.
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With Doubs being the focal point of the media, once Watson returns, that attention will stay on Doubs and allow Watson to get up to speed. But really, Doubs training camp play could help Watson in the long run. Doubs has not only drawn the attention of LaFleur and Vrable, but he has drawn the attention of his quarterback.Īs a competitor, Doubs outstanding play could be making Watson say “what if”. It is pretty well known that fellow rookie Romeo Doubs is having a terrific training camp. The plan worked for Gary and it could work for Watson as well. Once he recovers, they can allow him to return kicks (something he did at a high level at North Dakota State) and see spot duty in some passing packages. Allow him time to adjust to the NFL game. With him missing time in training camp, they can bring him along slowly. Gutekunst, LaFleur, and wide receivers coach Jason Vrable might take a similar approach with Watson. In 2020, he saw his time increase, and by 2021, after Za’Darius Smith was lost to an injury, he was inserted as a starter. He saw limited time, mostly in passing situations, and even registered two sacks. Many consider Gary’s rookie season to be a semi “redshirt” year. With playing behind Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, the Packers brought Gary along slowly. But similar to Watson, he did have to deal with high expectations as a high-round draft selection. Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary didn’t have to deal with an injury when he came into the league in 2019. It will allow those high expectations to die down and also give him time mentally to prepare. But for Watson, the injury actually might turn out to be a good thing. The time allows rookies to learn the playbook and in the case of Green Bay Packers wide receivers, time to work with Aaron Rodgers. However, after dealing with knee soreness after OTAs, Watson, his representatives, and the Packers decided that he should have knee surgery to deal with the soreness.Īs a rookie, especially one that the Packers are hoping can contribute immediately, you never want to miss time. After going through OTAs with the Packers, many expected him to be ready for training camp. Many were surprised to find out that when training camp kicked off that Christian Watson was one of the players placed on the PUP list. But for the Packers and Christian Watson, it might turn out to be a silver lining. Injuries to key draft selections are never a good thing. The reality is that Watson is still a major work in progress. All solid numbers, but at a lower level, those numbers don’t match the attributes he possesses.īy no means is this a knock on Christian Watson or the North Dakota State football program. He hauled in 43 catches for 801 yards with seven touchdown receptions. His best season as a pass catcher was in 2021. Over that course of time, he totaled 105 receptions for 2,142 yards with 14 touchdown catches. Watson went on to start 31 games over five seasons with the Bison. He landed at North Dakota State after being a late bloomer in high school, receiving little to no attention from Power 5 football schools. Watson comes to Green Bay via North Dakota State. Everything but big-time production at a high level. He has the speed, the explosiveness, and the size NFL teams covet at wide receiver. On paper, Christian Watson is everything you want in an NFL wide receiver. Expectations that need to be reeled in after taking a deeper look at the bigger picture.
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Even before taking one professional snap, Watson was already facing insurmountable expectations. Once the draft concluded, several Packers podcasters started to discuss the possibility of Watson stepping right in for Adams and taking his spot as the number one Green Bay Packers wide receiver.
