Packers: Christian Watson is as advertised at OTAs
“He has the total package. 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.”
That is how Green Bay Packers veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb described rookie Christian Watson last week.
During OTAs, the former North Dakota State WR, who was selected early in the second round of April’s NFL Draft after Green Bay traded up to get him, has made a strong impression so far.
This should not be a surprise. Watson is arguably the Packers‘ most talented receiver prospect that they have drafted in the Aaron Rodgers era.
That is saying a lot.
Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Greg Jennings were all second-round picks. Keep in mind that no one would know better than Cobb about talented, non-first round receivers coming to play at Lambeau Field.
He has been around a lot of talented receivers who weren’t drafted in the first round. In addition to Nelson, Adams and Jennings, Cobb was teammates with Donald Driver (seventh-round pick), James Jones (third round) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (fifth round).
Current Packers receiver Allen Lazard went undrafted. So there is plenty of evidence of talented later-round receivers coming through Green Bay, especially second-round receivers.
Think about Watson’s actual talent for a second. He has game-breaking speed (4.3 40 time). He stands at 6-4, too. He is both big and can absolutely fly. He has experience returning kicks and punts on special teams.
Watson can take a jet sweep to the house from 75 yards out. He will be a versatile piece for the Packers. This offense will not replace Davante Adams by just hoping some rookie becomes exactly like him.
What they are going to do is recreate his production with players that will own their roles.
Watson’s role in the beginning will be the gadget guy. Jet sweeps, screens, fly routes, etc. Just imagine what he will be able to do once he and Aaron Rodgers get their connection going.
It will be very scary for the rest of the league. Rest assured, Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich have a plan in place for No. 9.