There has been a lot of focus on Jordan Love having to replace Aaron Rodgers as the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback this season. But, he isn’t the only player who has been tasked with replacing a Green Bay legend in the lineup in recent seasons.
Rookie Anders Carlson has to replace the steady Mason Crosby at kicker this year. And last year, it was second-round pick Christian Watson who was part of the group tasked with replacing wide receiver Davante Adams.
Things got off to a rocky start for Watson, who dropped the first pass of the season which would have assuredly gone for a 75-yard touchdown. Some injuries led to early season struggles as well, but once he gained his footing, his production soared.
The North Dakota State product was one of the best receivers in the NFL from Week 10 on. The Packers got a glimpse of the dominance he could provide as a big-bodied, deep-ball threat. This offseason, he has been working hard to become more than just a one-trick pony downfield.
Watson has been working tirelessly on making more of an impact in the red zone as well. His speed isn’t able to be utilized in such a small space, but he is still making the most of it with quick cuts to get open. His 6’5” frame comes in handy in tight spaces as well.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes that it is all going to come together and culminate in a big season for Watson. As the new Packers go-to receiver, Ballentine believes that Watson is going to surpass the 1,000-yard mark.
“Watson was 12th in the league in yards run per route (2.4) and 15th in yards per target (9.4). Drops were a concern for him coming out of camp and the preseason last year, but he was only charged with two on the year, per Player Profiler.
…Expect Watson to become the Packers’ weekly target leader and get over 1,000 yards after piling up 611 last season.”
This is what the front office and coaching staff envisioned when they traded up to select him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Watson has all of the tools to become a dominant receiver in the NFL and it started to all come together this offseason.
There is hope amongst Packers fans that Love to Watson will become the modern version of Rodgers to Adams or Favre to Donald Driver or Antonio Freeman.
