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Former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum tabs Christian Watson as best receiver in 2022 rookie class

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels05/15/22ChandlerVessels
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Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Many expect big things from Green Bay rookie receiver Christian Watson, and former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum can be counted among them. In a recent article published by ESPN, Tannenbaum was quoted as saying Watson will be the best receiver from the 2022 NFL Draft class.

That is quite the bold claim considering six receivers were taken ahead of the North Dakota State product before the Packers selected him 34th overall in the second round. However, given the glaring need Green Bay has at that position after trading Davante Adams, Watson may be asked to do more right away.

That’s partly why Tannenbaum expects big production out of him in 2022.

“Despite many big-time playmakers getting drafted in Round 1, second-rounder Christian Watson will be the breakout star of this WR group and make Packers fans quickly forget about Davante Adams,” the former New York Jets general manager said. “Watson will become a top difference-making receiver by the end of September.”

Watson was a part of four FCS championship teams during his time at NDSU in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. He finished this past season with 43 catches for 801 yards and seven touchdowns to earn second team All-American honors according to the AP.

He teams up with defending MVP and 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers in attempt to lead the Packers on a Super Bowl run this season. However, replacing Adams — Rodgers’ top target over the past few years — will be no easy task. The Fresno State product proved himself one of the NFL’s best receivers over the past two seasons, in which he compiled a combined 2,937 yards and 29 touchdowns. Now he is on to Las Vegas, where he will reunite with his college quarterback, Derek Carr, and inked a five-year, $141 million contract that makes him the highest paid receiver in the league.

But at one point Adams was in Watson’s shoes, and who’s to say the rookie receiver isn’t the next big star for Green Bay? Mike Tannenbaum wasn’t the only one to give a glowing endorsement of Christian Watson, as Adams also gave his approval in an Instagram comment on the Packers’ page.

“Kid gon be the truth,” he wrote.

Watson has a long way to go to prove both Adams and Tannenbaum right, but it’s clear he doesn’t lack for supporters in his first NFL season. But given that he joins a team already in position to win, he seems in great position to succeed right away.