The pecking order in the Green Bay Packers passing game looks to be pretty wide-open. With a few weeks remaining in training camp, a clearer picture will come through sooner than later. But, for now, the only clear-cut thing about the passing game is Christian Watson looks like he is going to be the No. 1 option.
Watson has been a standout throughout the offseason, improving his game from what he showed during his rookie season. The second-round pick out of North Dakota State had a rocky start to his NFL career, but he finished with a bang.
From Week 10 on, Watson was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. His role expanded as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ coaching staff gained more trust in him and he rewarded them with some stellar performances.
While there are certainly some areas of emphasis to clean up, such as drops, 2023 looks like it could be a breakout campaign for Watson. His blend of size and athleticism is rare, giving him a great base to work with.
But, he isn’t relying solely on his speed, as he is also developing into a weapon to be used in the red zone. Despite the smaller space to work in, limiting the impact his speed can have, Watson is still using his athleticism and agility to his advantage to win on short and intermediate routes, running away from opponents.
What kind of production can we expect to see from him? Over at FantasyPros, some season-long projections were shared and Watson is expected to make a sizable jump in production.
70 receptions for 958 yards with six receiving touchdowns is a very solid second-year campaign. Given the tepid projections many people have for Packers quarterback Jordan Love, that is a solid season for Watson. He is also projected to run the ball seven times for 67 yards and another score.
Fantasy Football managers that select Watson likely have higher hopes for the kind of production that he will provide. Other projections have him finishing on the WR2 borderline, as he should be an asset not only for the Packers on the field but for managers in the Fantasy Football realm as well.
