2022 Second Round Pick, #34, Christian Watson Discussion Thread

[run pMc]

Tyquan Thornton had a 1.41 10 yard split this year, just unbelievably fast.
Prospects are getting much better coaching/training at the 40. Used to be unusual to have a 10yd split under 1.5. It's still pretty darn good to have a split that fast, or for your flying 20 to be under 1.9.

[Sparkey]

https://jetsxfactor.com/2022/03/31/ny-jets-draft-christian-watson-complete-wr-prospect/

Interesting read:

"The 2022 NFL draft is flush with quality wide receiver prospects of all varieties.

There are route artists like the Ohio State duo of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, jump-ball monsters like Drake London and George Pickens, electric open-space threats like Treylon Burks and Jameson Williams, and everything in-between.

However, no single player possesses as many traits on the receiver prospect checklist as North Dakota State's Christian Watson..."

[RashanGary]

Tyquan Thornton had a 1.41 10 yard split this year, just unbelievably fast.
Prospects are getting much better coaching/training at the 40. Used to be unusual to have a 10yd split under 1.5. It's still pretty darn good to have a split that fast, or for your flying 20 to be under 1.9.

I believe thats the record. Ruggs and Chris Johnson previously shared it at 1.43 I believe

[RashanGary]

Jordy Nelson ran a 4.51 40 yard dash.
From 20 yards to 40 he clocked 1.87 seconds

MVS ran a 4.37 40 yard dash
From 20-40 he clocked 1.79 seconds

Christian Watson ran a 4.36
From 20-40 he clocked 1.91 seconds


Christian Watson has ridiculous burst out of the gate but his long speed isnt what you think. Jordy actually tested out better long speed despite running the 40 significantly slower.

[RashanGary]

Eric stokes ran that last 20 yards in 1.75. No one is gonna run by him.

[King Friday]

Jordy Nelson ran a 4.51 40 yard dash.
From 20 yards to 40 he clocked 1.87 seconds

MVS ran a 4.37 40 yard dash
From 20-40 he clocked 1.79 seconds

Christian Watson ran a 4.36
From 20-40 he clocked 1.91 seconds


Christian Watson has ridiculous burst out of the gate but his long speed isnt what you think. Jordy actually tested out better long speed despite running the 40 significantly slower.

Watson is barely behind Jordy in long speed, and short speed is far more meaningful in the NFL. MVS was only a deep threat and not much else because he didn't have that short speed. He had to run a 9 route to get open, because his separation could only happen 15 yards downfield. Watson has the opportunity to be a far more impactful receiver if he can put everything together.

[Joemailman]

Jordy Nelson ran a 4.51 40 yard dash.
From 20 yards to 40 he clocked 1.87 seconds

MVS ran a 4.37 40 yard dash
From 20-40 he clocked 1.79 seconds

Christian Watson ran a 4.36
From 20-40 he clocked 1.91 seconds


Christian Watson has ridiculous burst out of the gate but his long speed isnt what you think. Jordy actually tested out better long speed despite running the 40 significantly slower.

Can't rule out the possibility that his long speed is better if someone is chasing him.

[RashanGary]

The more I go through Watsons big plays, the more a few patterns stick out.

Most of his big plays were either seam routes or come back routes where he turned it up field after the catch and burst for 20 extra yards. I saw a back shoulder where he looked really natural.

The majority of the other big plays were end around and runs. Hes really dynamic with the ball in his hands. Its his number one trait.

I think to start out, you run him as a deep decoy and then work comebacks and back shoulders off of that. Unlike MVS, this speedster can back shoulder. Then add in some jet sweeps and screens to get the ball in his hands and use that part of his game. Maybe have him return kicks.

Then you hope he starts to round out the rest of his game with time.

[texaspackerbacker]

He's smart enough to learn all the routes from day one and agile enough to execute them. I expect him to be the most productive receiver from the first regular season games.

[RashanGary]

He's smart enough to learn all the routes from day one and agile enough to execute them. I expect him to be the most productive receiver from the first regular season games.

We will see.

This is no different than you saying we were gonna keep Adams and MVS and then back tracking when we did neither.

You think you know everything and then you dont but it doesnt stop you from going right back to knowing everything.

[HarveyWallbangers]

One note about level of competition. I read that the MVFC had more players drafted then most of the Group of Five conferences. The MVFC is the SEC of FBS. That conference regularly beats FCS teams. NDSU has won 6 straight games against Power 5 teams (Iowa, Minnesota, Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Colorado). SDSU, Northern Iowa, and others have beaten Power 5 schools. Last year, South Dakota State beat Colorado State by 19. Missouri State lost to Oklahoma State by 7. Southern Illinois lost to Kansas State by 8. South Dakota lost to Kansas by 3. Northern Iowa lost to Iowa State by 6. So, they went 1-4, but no loss by more than 8 points and NDSU didn't play an FBS team.

So, if you are looking at guys from NDSU, Northern Iowa, etc. realize that, though they play FCS, they play a schedule on par with most Group of Five teams. Outside of the AAC (Cincinnati), NDSU would have won a majority of the Group of Five conferenes last year (and going back the last 10 years). Appalachian State, a recent convert from FCS that NDSU has dominated, made the championship game of the Sun Belt the last two full seasons.

[texaspackerbacker]

We will see.

This is no different than you saying we were gonna keep Adams and MVS and then back tracking when we did neither.

You think you know everything and then you dont but it doesnt stop you from going right back to knowing everything.

hahahahaha That's what forums are all about. Who in this forum or anyplace else anticipated Adams being gone/demanding the trade? I over estimated the value of MVS, I guess. I didn't think another team would pay that much, and the Packers would retain him for a little less. I think that also was the general consensus.

As for Watson, he has all the physical and mental tools, he has the GOAT QB throwing to him, and he has a situation where nobody else is clearly "the guy". Why would he not be great right from the start?

[run pMc]

I expect him to be the most productive receiver from the first regular season game

Of the roookies? Yeah. Of all the WR? Well...by end of year I could see it.
I guess it depends on how you define 'productive' - recs? yards? ypc? he could easily be a 15 recs at 20 ypc 9-route monster, but I'd expect better from a R2 pick.

You could be right - he did pretty good against Senior Bowl competition and while he is raw he has a lot of upside. By all accounts he's a hard worker and I think as he learns the offense and THEN learns how Rodgers likes routes run he'll figure it out. If I want to be optimistic I would expect a year of gradual growth followed by a big Year 2 jump, but I want to see him in real games against pro CBs first. More realistically I expect his first year to be bumpy but at a minimum he will be given lots of chances to produce.

[texaspackerbacker]

I meant of all the Packer receivers, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me if he outperformed all the WRs in the league.

[run pMc]

Yeah I meant of the Packer receivers, not the league... but ok. I like your optimism. Don't see it that way, but if you're going to aim high, aim high.