Zero2Cool;450619Scouts opinions on this kid.

NFC scout: Big, fast developmental guy. Reminded me a lot of Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Another 6-4 guy who ran 4.3. He’s going to need a lot of polish. I don’t know if his hands are as good as Marquez’s were coming out but there are similarities in terms of what he could be. Issue I have is, he played at North Dakota State, and at one point he had a top-3 quarterback (Trey Lance), and he was never a dominant player. He had a lot of really good flashes and solid production but never dominated. Most of the corners at that level are running 4.6. 4.7. Maybe some of that had to do with the offense. Guys with those traits that come from that level, like Vincent Jackson, they (dominate). He’s got big upside. If you give him a chance to develop right you could hit big with him.”

NFC scout: “Good-looking guy. He’s got build-up speed. He doesn’t play as if he knows how to play or play aggressively. He plays like a small-school guy that’s got some decent tools. He’s a fifth-year guy so I don’t know how much upside he has. He’s a linear, straight-line, build-up speed guy. I don’t see him as a starter or first-round pick by any means. More third or fourth round.”

NFL special-teams coordinator: “Highly, highly intelligent. Great kid. Very well-spoken. He’d be a good, solid kickoff returner. I don’t see him as a punt returner because he lacks that quick twitch.”

NFL special-teams coordinator: “He’s big. His testing was phenomenal. On the hoof, he’s phenomenal. You think, ‘How in the hell did somebody that looks like that go to North Dakota State?’ I just don’t think he’s a real tough guy when he runs. But there are plays, when he gets in the open field, there’s nobody that can stop him at that level.”

🤨
Watson is lightyears better than MVS.
😐

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2/34. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (4, 7): Since the Packers’ football renaissance got underway in 1992 they’ve drafted 13 wide receivers in the first three rounds: Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman, Derrick Mayes, Robert Ferguson, Javon Walker, Terrence Murphy, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Amari Rodgers

In their rookie seasons only, Jones led in receptions (47) and yards (676), Cobb led in average per catch (15.0) and Jennings and Adams led in touchdown catches (three).

The average rookie season for the illustrious group was a meager 20 receptions for 255 yards and 1.4 TDs. Jennings was the only one to make the all-rookie team. Now comes Watson, who unlike all the others hails from an FCS program (formerly Division I-AA). Not only that but he played in a run-first offense in which he blocked for the run more than he ran routes. In 52 games, including 31 starts, he caught merely 105 passes.

Watson (6-4, 208, 4.32) is almost a carbon copy of Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6-4, 202, 4.38). If the Packers are fortunate, Watson will have a rookie season like MVS enjoyed in 2018 after being drafted in the fifth round from South Florida. Only five rookie wideouts that season surpassed his 581 yards. As the 19th wideout drafted, he caught 38, averaged 15.3 and scored twice.

Injuries to Cobb, Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow got MVS on the field. He lined up outside, ran mostly take-off and deep over routes and helped force defenses into two-safety shells to open up for the running game and provide Adams with more space underneath. That’s what Watson should be able to do by opening day as well because he can fly. Keep defenses honest, help the run game, block on the perimeter.

At this point, Watson isn’t strong enough. He needs an NFL weight room in addition to NFL coaching. His speed cuts were much more advanced than his hard cuts.

When the ball is thrown to him deep, it’s almost hit or miss if he’ll catch it. He dropped 12 passes in the last two seasons. He can track a home-run ball beautifully one time and flub one the next.

Watson is brainy (38 on the Wonderlic) and an explosive athlete. He probably has more potential than Alec Pierce but probably more of a chance to fail. George Pickens’ ball skills, acrobatic catch ability and SEC background are elements Watson can’t begin to muster. Pickens, however, doesn’t have Watson’s intangibles and speed.

Although Watson did return 26 kickoffs over four seasons for a 26.4 average, several personnel people said he would only get hurt trying to do it in the pros.

Zero2Cool;450720

Watson is brainy (38 on the Wonderlic)

Love a "brainy" WR. Our QB does as well.

I was listening to one of Watson's coaches and he said Watson told him to coach him hard, and that he needs to be coached hard. That little bit there made me think Aaron Rodgers is going to be the best thing that happened to this kid.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1522683643268902914

Christian showing the hands...

PackerNation;450824My wife is never happy when I make bets, but I will bet our home that Christian Watson has more receptions than MVS this season.

Walker, Watson it's all good.