Packers OC predicts Christian Watson 'is going to be a problem' for NFL defenses

Expectations are already sky-high for Christian Watson, the newest wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers traded up to select Watson with the second pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Green Bay traded away Davante Adams and lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency, leaving some glaring holes at wide receiver. Watson won’t be able to singlehandedly fill those holes, but new Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich believes that once he puts it all together, he’s “going to be a problem” for defenses across the league.

“His combination of size and speed is great,” Stenavich said, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. “He’s a big guy. He can move. He’s going to be a problem once he figures things out.”

As a freshman at North Dakota State in 2018, Watson caught nine passes for 165 yards. He then had 34 receptions for 732 yards and six touchdowns in 2019, adding 13 rushes for 162 yards and another touchdown. In 2020, he had 19 catches for 442 yards and a touchdown with 21 rushes for 116 yards. This past season, Watson totaled 43 receptions for 800 yards and seven touchdowns, also rushing for 114 yards and another score.

Watson could also impact the Packers on special teams, as he returned 27 kicks for 686 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate career, averaging 25.4 yards per return.

Watson should be able to find a big role right away with the Packers

Aaron Rodgers has won back-to-back MVP awards, and the Packers have three consecutive 13-win seasons. But a lot of that success was at least partly due to Davante Adams running routes on offense. With Adams gone, paired with the departure of Valdes-Scantling, targets are up for grabs in Green Bay.

Sammy Watkins was signed as a free agent, and he joins Watson, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, and others in the Packers receiving room.

Following the selection of Watson, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst also praised Watson and assessed his potential big role out of the gates.

“He’s a big, fast, physical receiver,” Gutekunst said. “Really smart kid that we feel will fit our culture.”