Green Bay Packers: Is Christian Watson a Number One Receiver?

Rewind, too, before the season started. There were only a few things I knew for sure. Aaron Rodgers was no longer the quarterback. The Green Bay Packers would need time to figure out how to win without him. Lastly, Christian Watson had the potential to become one of the best receivers in the NFL. I may have been way off the mark regarding Watson, and it’s hard to fathom why.

Oct 9, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) is pursued by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41), cornerback Marcus Peters (24) and cornerback Tyler Hall (37) on a 77-yard reception in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers Love High Athletic Scores

Watson jumped off the TV on draft day. At 6’4″ and 208 pounds, Watson ran a 4.36 40-yard dash time. To compare, Calvin Johnson ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at 6’5″ and 239 pounds. Watson wasn’t quite as big as Johnson coming out of college, but players like that aren’t easy to find. Watson was graded out as the number one athlete at the receiver position in the 2022 draft with a 99 athleticism score.

Christian Watson dominated the NFL Combine pic.twitter.com/1218CPwNAA

— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) February 27, 2023

However, the athleticism may have blinded the Packers to some of his weaknesses. Some of the biggest weaknesses in college were significant things.

1. Fights the ball in the air with ugly drops all over his tape—consistent drop issues.
2. Doesn’t use his size to his advantage. It’s rare to see him initiating contact.
3. He runs routes as they’re printed on the playbook. He doesn’t set defenders up.
4. Catch focus is below average.
5. Occasionally, he mistimes leaps to the throw.

PFF’s draft summary of Watson read, “Watson is more “athlete” than wide receiver. If he becomes well versed in the latter…look out.”

Rookie Season

Like all rookies, Watson went through some growing pains. When you drop your first NFL target from Aaron Rodgers for a wide-open touchdown, it’s hard to dig yourself out of that hole. However, Watson managed to keep improving while battling injuries and ended last season with 41 receptions, 611 yards, and seven touchdowns. All while averaging an outstanding 11.4 yards per reception.

Watson wowed fans with impressive speed and athleticism. However, I think his draft weakness still holds when you look at the highlights of his rookie season. Many of his touchdowns and highlights showed things we already knew he could do. It didn’t show what kind of receiver he could be when a play requires more than athleticism.

Christian Watson Rookie 2022-23 Highlights #Greenbay #Milwaukee #Packers #Greenbaypackers pic.twitter.com/E1mGwdnJ6X

— Dirtbag Sport Productions (@dirtbag09) February 27, 2023

This Season

So far this season, Watson has undone some of the strides he made last season. When you look at his draft day weaknesses, you can see them on gameday this year. The Packers need him to be a more significant part of this offense, but it might have to be in a different way.  Watson did most of his damage in four games last season. He compiled eight touchdowns in a four-game stretch. During those games, Watson wasn’t the number one receiving option. He has Lazard, Cobb, and Doubs all getting looks from Rodgers.

In most cases, Lazard was getting all the throws in big moments. Maybe that is the best situation for Watson. Being a second or third might be the best option for Green Bay.

Watson has only played six games this season. On 33 targets, Watson has 14 receptions, 236 yards, and one touchdown. Generally, you are supposed to get better, not worse, in your second year in the league. I understand that Jordan Love is throwing him the ball, but at some point, Watson needs to make more plays for his quarterback.

Love has consistently shown that when the ball needs to go to the endzone in big moments, he wants to go to Watson. If Watson can’t make a few more plays for this team, it might be time for one of the younger receivers to become the go-to guy.

Can Christian Watson Finish the Season Strong?

I hope that Watson can prove me wrong for the rest of the season, but even if he could put together a nice closing stretch of football, one fact remains. He is inconsistent at best. He doesn’t have time for inconsistency because the Packers have other young, talented receivers who are showing they might be a better number-one option.

Jordan Love to Jayden Reed for the TD! pic.twitter.com/Zek8HtJVK7

— Jonathan Reyes (@InsideherJay) November 12, 2023

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