Take a trip back to St. Patties Day of this year.
While sports fans everywhere were consumed by the NCAA basketball tournament, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was busy executing the organization's most blockbuster trade since the acquisition of Brett Favre in 1991.
The move of star receiver Davante Adams - coupled with a departure by WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency - cast arguably the largest deficit at the wide receiver position that the franchise had seen in years. The usual arsenal of veteran pass catchers was suddenly reduced to just Allen Lazard and an aged Randall Cobb.
And, somehow, the Packers retained the label of a contender - for the time being.
Finding the Next WR1
Early on Day 2 of April's draft, Gute responded to the void, forking over both of Green Bay's second round picks to move up and snag North Dakota State's Christian Watson. The move was a bold one by a GM pressured to appease both Aaron Rodgers and entitled fans used to watching elite WRs tear apart DBs since the early Favre era.
Lanky and known for blazing speed that can cook DBs off the line of scrimmage, Watson's draft profile emulated MVS more than any other Packers receiver in recent eras. But, as the 34th overall selection of the draft - and a member of the class's premier crop - it's expected that Watson be much more than the vertical-only, role player that MVS was.
One quarter into the regular season, he's got a ways to go.
While the potential is clear, Watson's integration in the Green Bay offense has been slower than most would have hoped, with his preseason hijacked by a hamstring injury and early trust from Rodgers dashed by a brutal opening drive drop in Week 1.
As evidenced by the limited volume of snaps - and mere single-digit number of routes downfield - it's clear that Watson hasn't yet built chemistry with Rodgers. It could be that the Packers are trying to gradually build his confidence as an NFL receiver, given the known history of drops (his 12% drop rate in college was amongst the highest of draft eligible receivers).
Meanwhile, it's fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs that's been vaulted into a pseudo-WR2 role through the quarter mark of the season. Doubs quickly made an impression during the preseason and the momentum has carried over into the fall, leading the team in both yards and receptions.
While Doubs has certainly sparked life into the passing game, his presence hasn't restored what was the NFC's most dangerous passing attack just two years ago. The missing piece may be the Packers' other gifted rookie receiver who is yet to be utilized anywhere close to his full potential.
Built for the Next Level
When assembling his draft board, Gutekunst wisely prioritized Watson's tangibles over splash plays made against FCS talent that end up mattering little when matched up against shutdown corners at the next level.
Standing 6'4" and weighing 200 lbs, Watson should create matchup problems regardless of where he's lined up. His size should make him an asset, not only as a fade specialist in the red zone, but as a deep ball threat. If he can contest passes in any degree more than Valdes-Scantling did, expect him to win jump balls over 80% of the league's defensive backs.
More obviously, Watson's raw speed is what will require defensive coordinators to consciously account for him on the field. A simple go route can draw double coverage that frees up one or more receivers for Rodgers underneath while keeping the option for a home run ball if Watson gets enough separation.
And that's just as a receiver.
In only a handful of games, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has employed Watson on a slew of jet sweeps, reverses and pre-snap motion that pulls slower linebackers out of position to try and make a play on the speedster. Needing just one block from the weak side, it's off to the races for No.9. If LaFleur can find a way to regularly get him in space...watch out.
Finally, Watson's larger frame should make him an equally capable blocker on offense, a sacred role in LaFleur's run-heavy system that can secure a job in Green Bay while waiting on his capabilities as a receiver to blossom.
Looking Ahead in 2022
The addition of Watson during this past draft was unquestionably a move for the future, very possibly based on the front office's vision for years of Jordan Love + Watson. Still, there remains the expectation that Watson will contribute as a rookie.
Frankly, the Packers' Super Bowl aspirations may depend on it.
With veteran Sammy Watkins done for the season and other receivers on the roster a known quantity, Watson's ceiling could be the remaining variable for whether the Packers' passing game can return anywhere close to its 2019 - 2021 state.
Vegas still believes in the Packers as more than just a fringe playoff team, a vote of confidence in Rodgers' ability to right the ship on offense. But he'll need a new lever to pull in order to make that happen - whether it's better scheming, O-line continuity or elevated play from his supporting cast. Having made a big bet on him in the draft, the Packers should be looking for answers in Christian Watson.
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