I don't think it's far-fetched to think that Watson can elevate his game against better competition, just like others can.
Who would have thought a kid who stole cars and sold drugs, went to Alcorn State, ran a 4.45 40, and was drafted in the seventh round would end up in the Packers HOF? The point is, let's at least give Watson, who scouts said was the most impressive receiver at the Senior Bowl, a chance to at least drop a few in TC before we label him a bust. Just in the Watson's highlights he made some catches that MVS would probably have dropped.
@pkr_north posted:... there will be incredible scrutiny on this kid from the media...not to mention fans...
The media, as a general rule, eats this kind of stuff up.
All season long, the 1st round WR picks will be judged against each other, and they will draw their own conclusions about whether these picks are good/bad.
And, of course, use stats to build their strawman arguments.
If a 2nd or 3rd round pick performs on par, those comparisons will be added, adding yet more fuel to their fires.
The other thing that I love about this kid is that he is a "late bloomer". Only 6'2 185 coming out of high school ...he had exactly one scholarship offer. Easier for guys like him to stay hungry , they've experienced being "not the best". The 2 best players I ever coached were similar.
Christian Watson grew over 3 inches between his senior year in high school and last year at NDSU.
https://www.maxpreps.com/athle...A2nzwbTA/default.htm
They list him at 6'2", he was well under that I have it gone good authority. He also played on the same team as Indiana signee Whop Philyor...he was a quality Big 10 WR and ended up at Indiana...that tells me the staff at Plant HS doesn't do a very good job getting their kids exposure.
His HS film you can see he's a little gangly and awkward, but certainly talented enough to go to a UCF, or any other number of AAC schools. Sometimes kids fall through the cracks...
his qb was trey lance also...did not realize that til watching a bunch of big arm throws, so watson was blazing but that was a good throw...who was that...lance, wow. ok..ndsu...huh...
@Chongo posted:..that tells me the staff at Plant HS doesn't do a very good job getting their kids exposure.
He got plenty of exposure. His senior year they played in the state championship game. His coach was 89-19 in nine years and in addition to having numerous guys play in power conferences, he had 5 guys play in the NFL. Blaming the coaching staff for Watson only getting one scholarship offer is off base.
@FLPACKER posted:He got plenty of exposure. His senior year they played in the state championship game. His coach was 89-19 in nine years and in addition to having numerous guys play in power conferences, he had 5 guys play in the NFL. Blaming the coaching staff for Watson only getting one scholarship offer is off base.
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@pkr_north posted:his qb was trey lance also...did not realize that til watching a bunch of big arm throws, so watson was blazing but that was a good throw...who was that...lance, wow. ok..ndsu...huh...
In 2021 they used 2 QBs and had somewhat of a QB controversy. They used Cam Miller and Quincy Patterson in 2021.
And personally I hope Watson can do what MVS couldn't. Stay healthy. MVS always seemed to have an owie and was inactive for game day.
Personally, I hope Watson can do what MVS couldn't as far as catching the ball. I hope he can catch within his catch radius rather than only those in a specific spot.
MVS always appeared to me to be a great athlete who plays football .... Watson seems like a football player who turned into a great athlete.
@Fandame posted:Personally, I hope Watson can do what MVS couldn't as far as catching the ball. I hope he can catch within his catch radius rather than only those in a specific spot.
I'm hoping AR can do with Watson what he couldn't do with MVS, throw an accurate pass. AR always seemed to under/overthrow MVS on deep plays. I still haven't figured out if that was AR or MVS's fault tho.
@michiganjoe posted:Tried to move back into the first to take him.
Word is the Vikings wanted to keep the 5th year option to themselves.
@vitaflo posted:I'm hoping AR can do with Watson what he couldn't do with MVS, throw an accurate pass. AR always seemed to under/overthrow MVS on deep plays. I still haven't figured out if that was AR or MVS's fault tho.
Sounds like it would be Rodgers fault in your estimation if he can't throw an accurate pass.
What would be nice is having a WR that can control his speed, adjust and actually make plays on the ball instead of just running out of the park like Forrest Gump.
I definitely think Watson can do that once he polishes his route running.
Henry, To your point, I think that he has a way to go learning this offense and MVS and Rodgers often seemed to be on different pages.
I agree with Henry. (
) I remember after MVS dropped one sure TD on a bomb that, I think it was AR, said the ball was at MVS's waist and MVS preferred the ball a little higher. Sure TD and he couldn't adjust to it at his waist because he preferred them a little higher. I think Watson will be better than that.
Interesting read about his dad's NFL career.
And more reading material.
It’s confusing how so many can be opposite on this guy some dudes have him as st wizard and a project type guy. Maybe 5th round…then there is top 40/50 and a true x in the waiting. Then I hear back shoulder throws and think of 87…time to stop reading
I'm a little late to the game on this one, but I think Watson was a brilliant choice. He was a receiver the Packers had brought to GB and interviewed, so he was obviously high on their list. I wasn't enamored with any of the choices for WR this draft, to be honest. I didn't see any home runs I thought Gutey made a good choice to hold tight and draft defense in the first round when it was clear the "best" receivers were off the board.
His guy was still there in the second. They had him valued higher than Skyy or some of the others mentioned. There was also no guarantee that any of those other receivers would have been there at their first choice in the second. So why not make sure you get your guy. Another second was the cost, so what.
As for all the wringing of hands over his...hands, I don't see it. I know they're highlights, but the highlights show me his hands are pretty good, and he can track the ball. Plus he's elusive and fast, not just fast. And he can break tackles.
No, we shouldn't expect him to light it up his first year, that's rare for an NFL receiver. But he's got the frame to put on even more muscle, he's got the speed, the elusiveness - a hell of an athlete. Those are the things you can't teach.
With practice, you learn how to get off the line, run better routes, and catch the ball, among other things. I don't believe what your hands are in college is an indicator of what your hands will be in the NFL. The more you practice, the better you get.
And the other thing you can't teach? Heart. From everything I've read he's a good kid who wants to get better, and his arrow is still pointing up. Couple that with his physical skills, and the sky's the limit if he wants it bad enough, which it seems that he does.
@PackerPatrick posted:Henry, To your point, I think that he has a way to go learning this offense and MVS and Rodgers often seemed to be on different pages.
He seemed to be on different pages with all of his receivers except for Adams. Now, he doesn't have that crutch. Time for the final chapter of AR's path to perfection.
@pkr_north posted:It’s confusing how so many can be opposite on this guy some dudes have him as st wizard and a project type guy. Maybe 5th round…then there is top 40/50 and a true x in the waiting. Then I hear back shoulder throws and think of 87…time to stop reading
#87. Willie Davis?
@Henry posted:Sounds like it would be Rodgers fault in your estimation if he can't throw an accurate pass.
What would be nice is having a WR that can control his speed, adjust and actually make plays on the ball instead of just running out of the park like Forrest Gump.
I definitely think Watson can do that once he polishes his route running.
That's one of the knocks on Watson, as well. Better athlete than receiver at a time they really need a receiver and all three they took were kind of wild swings, especially giving up that extra 2 when they're so thin at so many spots.
I think Gute filled all the this spots except maybe safety. I just don't get all the angst about giving up a 2 to go get the guy you want.
@Herschel posted:That's one of the knocks on Watson, as well. Better athlete than receiver at a time they really need a receiver and all three they took were kind of wild swings, especially giving up that extra 2 when they're so thin at so many spots.
I'm withholding judgement on that for the moment. Watching the kid's film you can see he's got body control. While at the same time concerning, the NDSU offense didn't do him many favors in that regard and hence the longer term project of getting him NFL ready as a WR. I truly have zero expectations for him as a WR this year. I think he's half colossal project, half gadget guy out the gate.
Also, Gorp in comparing him to MVS called Watson "big jointed", whatever the fuck that means.
All I know is he doesn't look like he's running in a scoliosis brace like MVS.
Do I get your take about immediate need and draft resources, absolutely.
@Henry posted:I'm withholding judgement on that for the moment. Watching the kid's film you can see he's got body control. While at the same time concerning, the NDSU offense didn't do him many favors in that regard and hence the longer term project of getting him NFL ready as a WR. I truly have zero expectations for him as a WR this year. I think he's half colossal project, half gadget guy out the gate.
Also, Gorp in comparing him to MVS called Watson "big jointed", whatever the fuck that means.
All I know is he doesn't look like he's running in a scoliosis brace like MVS.
Do I get your take about immediate need and draft resources, absolutely.
@Herschel - Yeah, I get that too, like Henry said. But like DJ said, there's no guarantee any of the receivers taken in front of him would become #1's in their first year. I also agree with DJ that this year's WR class was overrated. Help as far as getting a blue chip #1 starting WR wasn't coming this year. We'll see how it plays out though. We may not know for a couple of years. My whole thing is I don't think it was a mistake to draft Watson and pay what we paid.
@D J posted:It means hypermobility, which they incorrectly call double-jointed.
Great, we wasted a pick on a contortionist.
@Herschel posted:That's one of the knocks on Watson, as well. Better athlete than receiverat a time they really need a receiver
Watson is a 2nd round pick from an FCS school whom just about all objective observers believe needs time to develop into a + NFL contributor. His biggest selling point is that his outstanding athletic abilities will allow him to develop into a top-flight WR. No reason to believe that cannot eventually happen.
As rookies, Davante had 38 catches for 446 yards and 1 TD, Cobb had 25/375/1, and Jordy had 33/366/2. Of course, Davante, Randall, and Jordy all came in when the receiving corps was significantly more talented than the 2022 version of the Packers and hence the expectation that they would immediately contribute was undoubtedly lower.
Conversely, Greg Jennings started for much of his rookie year, and he finished with 45 catches for 632 yards and 3 TDs -- and he had 1,000 yard WR Donald Driver across from him that season, not Alan Lazard.
Given the rest of the current WR group, it is understandable that so many of the faithful have such high hopes that Watson can contribute in a big way right away in 2022. Expecting him to contribute more than Adams, Nelson, Cobb, and Jennings, however, seems just a tad optimistic.
@Thunderbird posted:Great, we wasted a pick on a contortionist.
