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

[call_me_ishmael]

I don't know too nany 6'4" people that can stop on a dime and are quick as a cat. We shall see what happens.

[Joemailman]

I actually think Watson's footwork looked pretty good on some of the short throws where he has to quickly turn upfield. You don't see him running a lot of patterns with a sharp break in or out, but that doesn't mean with some coaching that he can't do those things. When the Packers drafted A.J. Dillon, a lot of people said he wasn't a good receiver because he didn't catch many passes at Boston College. Turns out his pass receiving skills are just fine. Watson will never look like Greg Jennings running routes, but if he can develop a rapport with Rodgers and Love, he should be a dynamic player.

[George Cumby]

I watched a little over half of that and here's what I see:

Incredible body control and ability to adjust to the ball, fast, explosive, athletic, good hands, nifty quick feet.

The first catch was really impressive.

I think this kid will be fun to watch grow.

[RashanGary]

I counted 9 in breaking or out breaking routes in his college career. And half of them were long crossers where he didnt get separation on his break.

I see him similar to MVS but with a good come back route and good with the ball in his hands. So I think hell out perform MVS. He does a little more. He might be more consistent than MVS hauling in the long passes too.

But like MVS, hes limited in his route running. Not only does he not get separation with most of his routes, but he also doesnt body out defenders and make contested catches. That limits him from being a consistent 7 catch a game type player. Its more feast and famine with him unless they scheme him the ball a couple times per game.

We badly needed a deep threat. He brings a lot to the table in that regard. I see no reason he cant get 6 or 700 yards in year 1 like MVS did as a rookie. I see no reason he cant get a little better and be a 1,000 yard guy.

I dont think hell ever be a volume pass catcher. He just doesnt have the skillset.

[Tony Oday]

He will not have more than 40 catches for 500 yards at best.

Now I think in the future he will be a stud!

[Joemailman]

I counted 9 in breaking or out breaking routes in his college career. And half of them were long crossers where he didnt get separation on his break.

I see him similar to MVS but with a good come back route and good with the ball in his hands. So I think hell out perform MVS. He does a little more. He might be more consistent than MVS hauling in the long passes too.

But like MVS, hes limited in his route running. Not only does he not get separation with most of his routes, but he also doesnt body out defenders and make contested catches. That limits him from being a consistent 7 catch a game type player. Its more feast and famine with him unless they scheme him the ball a couple times per game.

We badly needed a deep threat. He brings a lot to the table in that regard. I see no reason he cant get 6 or 700 yards in year 1 like MVS did as a rookie. I see no reason he cant get a little better and be a 1,000 yard guy.

I dont think hell ever be a volume pass catcher. He just doesnt have the skillset.

You may be right that he won't be a high volume catcher, if by that you bean 100+ receptions. Guys like Watson with a high yards per catch don't catch that many passes. Of the top YPC guys in the NFL last year, none were close to 100 catches. You can be elite without 100 catches. Did you watch Deebo Samuel or Ja'Marr Chase last year?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer in my book. He’s only caught more than 74 balls twice.
DeSean Jackson has only caught more than 62 balls once.

Yet I would take them over Jarvis Landry and his 100 catches and 998 yards.

You can affect the game greatly if you have 60 catches at 15+ yards/catch.

[RashanGary]

MVS affected the game greatly with 35 catches per season as a literal one trick pony.

Watson has a couple tricks. His stop route is money and he turns it up field like a beast. His go route is money.

And I think you scheme him the ball once or twice a game on screens and end arounds.

Plus he blocks.

Ive seen him look pretty good back shouldering too. Thats a really nice piece to go with a go route.

Just being a legit deep threat makes him valuable and I think hes more than that.

I just dont think hes a #1.

If he pans out the way I think he might, everyone will be happy with the pick.

[RashanGary]

Tall guys have more to overcome as route runners because theyre not as sudden. Usually they use their size to box out. Occasionally you see a tall skinny guy make it. But its rare.

I dont think Watson is a raw route runner. I think hes limited because of the high center of gravity and lack of big body to make up for it.

But just like Rashan Gary willed himself into being a 10 sack a year guy, Watson could will himself into being a well rounded player.


MVS-like production is his floor. #3 WR.

And I guess Ill say he has a high ceiling despite being limited as a route runner because will power and work ethic can make up for physical limitation. I just see a vertical sort of #2 WR as his ceiling. But he sure could prove me wrong on that and round out his game.

[RashanGary]

NFL receiver rooms dont look like basketball teams. Taller isnt an advantage.

Three guys have been over 6-4 and under 215 pounds and really made it. Keyshon Johnson, Randy Moss and AJ Green.

So Watson will be a rarity if he becomes a legit #1 WR.

He has to overcome being taller (less agile) and small bodied (less able to box out.)

Theres no saying he cant be a #1, but I doubt he will be.

He has route running limitations and box out limitations too. Hes gonna have to work at it.

[RashanGary]

Of all the tall skinny guys who have ever played, hes different than all of them. Its hard to find a comp.

Deep threat like MVS but better with the ball in his hands than any of the guys that came before him.

If he makes it, hes going to be a unique player. I cant think of anyone with his height and weight with a similar skill set, especially the YAC.

[RashanGary]

I went through the top 150 all time players. Careers like Robert Woods, Randall Cobb and Amari Cooper. There are 5 tall skinny guys

Randy Moss
AJ Green
Herman Moore
Keyshon Johnson
Ed McCaffrey

Being tall (limits ability to create separation) and skinny (limits ability to box out) is not a good combo to be an NFL receiver.

But Watson looks to be able to get deep and run that stop route (and turn it up field) and get screens and jet sweeps.

He might end up being a good #2 or maybe he grinds and works his way to being a rare tall skinny #1.

[Joemailman]

RG, sure getting everybody worked up over at FF.

[HarveyWallbangers]

He's obsessed about Watson. I think it's because I told him that Watson was a perfect fit for the Packers. He's shitting on the other guy I liked and said would be a perfect fit for the Packers on FF too, Zach Tom. I think he was drunk when he posted that and didn't realize he was on FF and not Packer Rats.

Did you watch the Senior Bowl 1 on 1s with Watson and Doubs? Tell me what you think about the potential of each to beat press coverage.

[texaspackerbacker]

I went through the top 150 all time players. Careers like Robert Woods, Randall Cobb and Amari Cooper. There are 5 tall skinny guys

Randy Moss
AJ Green
Herman Moore
Keyshon Johnson
Ed McCaffrey

Being tall (limits ability to create separation) and skinny (limits ability to box out) is not a good combo to be an NFL receiver.

But Watson looks to be able to get deep and run that stop route (and turn it up field) and get screens and jet sweeps.

He might end up being a good #2 or maybe he grinds and works his way to being a rare tall skinny #1.

I'd hardly call Watson skinny. Also, why isn't Calvin Johnson on your list? Harold Carmichael? probably a lot of others. Megatron would seem to be the most obvious to compare to Watson. Having Rodgers throwing to him and not having any other obvious more likely target is gonna propel Watson to extreme stats sooner rather than later.