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

[RashanGary]

I watched the highlight reel and had initially thought he showed a lot of quickness and agility. But upon further review its more straight line explosiveness than it is short area quickness.

I dont think he has as much upside as a route runner as I initially thought.

He can run a go route. Hes fast. As a change up, off of that, he runs a good come back and looks coordinated back shouldering. He also looks explosive with the ball in his hands. I dont see him being a complete player, but he has one go-to quality (speed) and a couple change ups off of that. I dont see him sinking his hips and having those sudden breaks in his routes. Hes limited. But he can be a nice piece in a rotation and do a few things well.

He can do a few more things than MVS did (come backs, back shoulders, screens and jet sweeps.) If he masters his high upside areas, he can still end up a great pick who you can lean on for a few go-to routes.

[Jaire]

The sheer negativity, RG. smh

We don't draft a dude at 34 unless he's graded there. I don't think GB has changed its draft philosophy or ability. Pittsburg and GB are the best when it comes to WR: Pittsburg def got a Pittsburg receiver, GB a couple of GB receivers: the whole world is unhinged, but at least this has not changed.

But Doubs is the better route runner at this point.

We have our WRs of the future. These are in the same mold as what we've drafted the last 16 years.

[run pMc]

I think his height is going to make him struggle with certain things, and while I think his play speed is close to his track speed, I don't know that you can say the same for his agility. As a prospect he has tons of upside and at a minimum is a better MVS. From what I hear he can learn a playbook and wants to get better, so what he has between the ears seems promising for his career prospects as well. You gotta admit the prospect of running play-action with him matched up against a 5-11" CB on a go route seems advantageous for GB.

Give him time. He may never be Davante Adams deadly with his routes, but a defense will have to account for his size/speed, and he will get better.

[RashanGary]

James Jones had a few go-to routes. Jordy had a few go-to routes. Cobb was slot receiver who settled into zones well.

Davante and Jennings kind of did it all.

Its not going to stop Watson that he has a few go-to strengths. MLF and Rodgers will learn what Watson does well and put him in position for success.

The nice thing about Watsons strengths is that they work together. A go route and a stop route are a good mix (especially when Watson is so dynamic once the ball is in his hands on the come back.) A go route and a back shoulder are a good mix. Plus you can get the ball in his hands with screens and jet sweeps. Plus he blocks.

I have high hopes that theyll get the most out of Watsons strengths. Rodgers has fed the ball to different types over the years. Watson is just the latest weapon for 12 to learn how to feed.

[RashanGary]

Jordy was a big body. Once he got positioning, no one could fight him off his spot. He was unfazed by contact. He rarely operated with any degree of separation but was open anyway because of his size and body positioning was so strong. He did run a good out and up that was the one route that hed be wide open. Watson cant do what Jordy did.

Davante, Driver and Jennings could cut any direction and create separation. They were always open. Watson cant do that. Hes not a good route runner.

MVS had elite build up speed. Once he got going deep no one could catch him. Watson might be able to do that even though his build up speed isnt as good. His speed out of the gates is elite and his long speed is good.

What Watson does seem to do well is get yards with the ball in his hands. He can do that. He runs a good go route and can back shoulder and runs a good stop route. Hopefully its enough. 32 teams passed on him for a reason. James Jones was kind of limited and still had a good career.

[Jaire]

All good points, RG.

MVS has clocked at 22 mph. Watson at 23: he has another gear at times, and ELITE take off as you say. (He's also been reported at a 4.21.) Another difference is that Watson tracks the ball and catches better down field in stride. Speed kills. They will bring him along slowly. Another thing is that he has a much better work ethic as a rookie than MVS. So..... at the worst he's a better MVS in my opinion, with a lot more he can do. I think he has a decent floor for a speed guy.

Teams passed because he has a ways to go. LIS GB always takes "their guys" high in the second (see Jordy, Jennings, Cobb). Davante is an exception because that was the deepest class in like 20 years. We grabbed him where GB valued him, higher than other teams: and they like their developmental stars. Watson has the tools to be great, but will take a few years while I expect he'll get 600-800 yards in year one. I actually think Doubs is farther ahead in route running.

edit: oh, and he BLOCKS. That probably sent him up a round on MLF's personal board.

[RashanGary]

The best comp for Watson is MVS. Tall, skinny, fast. Not good in traffic. Not good route runner.

Watson does a couple things MVS didnt do.

1. He can back shoulder
2. He runs a good stop route
3. Hes explosive with the ball in his hands


If MVS is a 700 yard receiver being mostly a one trick pony, Watson can be 1,000 yards and a couple trick pony.

Most of MVS big plays were deep posts where he got behind coverage. I could see Watson having those plays and a few others.

[RashanGary]

Watson can run

Go routes
Stop routes
Stop n go
Deep posts (like MVS)
Screens
Jet sweeps


He can do a few things more than MVS but hes more like MVS than any other recent Packer receiver in that hes straight line fast, but limited.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Ugh!

[King Friday]

Watson can run

Go routes
Stop routes
Stop n go
Deep posts (like MVS)
Screens
Jet sweeps


He can do a few things more than MVS but hes more like MVS than any other recent Packer receiver in that hes straight line fast, but limited.

RG...Watson never had the chance to truly run multiple routes during much of his college career. He played on a run first offense. He may very easily learn how to run routes at the next level and become a monster. To me, his ceiling is much higher than MVS because long speed was all MVS had. Didn't matter if he could learn to run other routes... He did not possess the size or short explosiveness to take advantage of them. That is not true of Watson. True, he may not reach his full potential, but if he does he will be much better than MVS.

[Upnorth]

To me Watson's floor (unless he is a complete bust) is mvs.
His ceiling on the other hand is higher than any of the other wr drafted this year besides Jamison Williams.

He is going to a perfect place for him as well. Has a hof qb throwing, a team that needs speed and a coach that uses players creatively. His backfield plays are fun and he is great with the ball in his hands, and our existing top 2 receivers are some of the best blocking wr in the league.

[RashanGary]

I challenge anyone to find one play where Watson creates separation with route running agility (either breaking in or breaking out.)

You cant because they dont exist.

The idea that Watson has all of this potential as a route runner is not accurate.

Hes a skinny, linear, 6-4. He has a good go route and a good stop route. Nothing else exists on his tape.

Hes also good with the ball in his hands.

But hes not a good route runner and doesnt show potential to be one.

MVS was a one trick pony. Watson has a couple tricks.

I see him maxing out at about 1,000 yards per season. A good notch better than MVS. But I dont see elite anything with Watson.

[HarveyWallbangers]

A 1000 yard WR would be pretty good. MVS never reached 700 yards.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Here you go RG. Almost every catch of Watson's college career in chronological order from his freshman year.

[Upnorth]

After watching that video I'm convinced trey lance was drafted to high.

Watson is an unrefined wr whose ceiling is incredibly high. Speed, burst, anyone else watch that video and think of jordy?

He moves faster than it looks like he's moving.