Note: The NFL Draft begins April 28 and the Green Bay Packers have the 22nd and 28th pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine 20 players the Packers could select with either of those picks.
Today, we look at North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson
CHRISTIAN WATSON, WR, NORTH DAKOTA STATE
THE SKINNY
Watson was a bit player as a true freshman in 2019 when the Bison won a national title. In 2020, though, he caught 34 passes for 732 yards — a whopping average 21.5 yards per catch. Watson also had six touchdown receptions and averaged 12.5 yards per punt return.
Watson caught 19 passes for 442 yards (23.3) in 10 games in 2020. He was also a standout kick returner who had two touchdowns and averaged 33.8 yards per return.
Last season, Watson was named second-team Associated Press FCS All-American after catching 43 passes for 801 yards (18.6) and scoring seven TDs. He missed the first three games of the Bison’s postseason, but returned for NDSU’s national title game victory over Montana State.
Watson then ran the sixth-fastest time among wide receivers at the NFL Combine.
MEASURABLES
Height: 6-5
Weight: 208
Bench press: N/A
40-yard dash: 4.36
Vertical jump: 38 ½”
Broad jump: 11’4”
Arms: 32 1/2”
Hands: 10 1/8”
SCOUTING REPORT
Watson has a rare combination of size and speed. But he’s raw and was underutilized at North Dakota State.
Watson’s greatest attribute might be his ball skills. He tracks deep balls extremely well, has a remarkable catch radius and is an impressive high jumper. All of that, plus his strong hands, could help Watson eventually become a No. 1 receiver.
Watson is a creative route runner who creates plenty of separation and can outphysical smaller defenders. He’s also elusive after the catch and difficult for smaller defensive backs to tackle.
Watson remains raw, though, and must develop a more refined route tree.
PACKERS’ PREDICAMENT
Green Bay traded Pro Bowl wideout Davante Adams to Las Vegas last month and now has arguably the worst collection of receivers in football.
Allen Lazard was undrafted coming out of Iowa State due to a lack of explosiveness — something that certainly hasn’t changed. Randall Cobb, set to enter his 12th season, hasn’t played a full year since 2015. And Amari Rodgers was dreadful as a rookie in 2021.
That means the heat is on Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst to find two immediate contributors in this draft.
THEY SAID IT
ESPN’s Todd McShay on Watson: “It’s a deep pass-catching class, and there are plenty of teams searching for playmakers on the outside. Watson is a big target who brings a vertical element to the table.”
Watson said: “I think the biggest challenge whether you are coming from the FBS or FCS is to be able to continually separate yourself regardless of if you were playing for Alabama or playing for North Dakota State, you’ve got to separate yourself from everyone else at the highest level possible. The biggest challenge going forward is to be able to separate myself and to prove that I’m one of the best and be able to hold my spot going forward.”
Bison offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl on Watson: “We see it every day. There’s always a little bit of doubt in everyone else's mind from an outsider standpoint of ‘There is no way it’s that fast,’ but when you can see and really feel his speed in person it’s almost like it’s effortless.”
PREVIOUS PLAYERS SPOTLIGHTED
• Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave
• Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann
• Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks
• Purdue outside linebacker George Karlaftis
• Boston College offensive tackle Zion Johnson
• Minnesota outside linebacker Boye Mafe
