Watson’s Versatility Will Be Tool for Packers

Once Christian Watson hit his stride, he became the Packers' best receiver last year. Now, he's looking to master the entire offense and be one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Christian Watson (Tork Mason/USA Today Sports)

GREEN BAY, Wis. – If you could have hit pause Christian Watson’s rookie season before mid-November, the results would have been incredibly disappointing.

His only play of note at the time was a drop on opening weekend against the Minnesota Vikings.

Watson would have two more drops against Dallas before his breakout performance began against the Cowboys.

He caught one touchdown on a third-and-1 that ended with him back-flipping in the end zone. It was just the start. He caught two more that day and finished the season with seven receiving touchdowns. 

Watson, like the rest of the team, is undergoing a transition this season. 

Watson was the raw rookie last year out of North Dakota State. This year, he and Romeo Doubs are being asked to be the leaders of the youngest receiver corps in the NFL.

“He just seems like a much more confident player, “ LaFleur said before practice on Monday. “I think we saw that take shape last year maybe halfway through the season.”

The three-touchdown performance against the Cowboys could wind up being a springboard for the rest of Watson’s career.

Now, that confidence is leading to ability to do more things on the field.

The best receiving corps the Packers ever had once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. That group had dynamic playmakers all over the field.

One of the advantages of that group was the players were not confined to certain spaces on the field. Greg Jennings could play out wide or make hay in the slot. When Jennings would move to the slot, Jordy Nelson or James Jones would take his place on the perimeter.

Those two, along with Jermichael Finley and Donald Driver, also were used both inside and out.

The only player who really was exclusive to the slot was Randall Cobb, but he was a rookie.

Watson is taking on that role with his ability to play all over the formation.

“The thing that is so unique about Christian is you can line him up at the Z and tell him the next play, you gotta go play F or X and he doesn’t blink. That’s tough for most guys to do and switch your brains around like that.” LaFleur said.

Watson knows premier receivers such as Justin Jefferson and Davante Adams line up here, there and everywhere, as well. In the constant probing of matchups, his versatility adds value to his role and the rest of the offense.

"I think just being able to increase your value and your role in the offense is huge for being able to make plays and create mismatches against defenses. Being able to be put in different spots and have that availability is huge and adds value to myself." Watson said. 

The advantages to that for the Packers’ offense could come in a variety of ways. They have options of receivers that will play in the slot, such as Jayden Reed or Romeo Doubs. That will allow Watson to play on the outside.

There’s a little more unknown as to who will play outside when Watson travels into the slot.

Monday’s practice saw Luke Musgrave line up on the edge of the formation, something he’s well equipped to do with his combination of size and speed.

There are advantages to moving Watson around, mostly trying to free him up from teams trying to take him away.

“When you play teams that have a good receiver and they move him all over the place, it’s hard to roll coverage toward him.” LaFleur said.

Watson’s raw ability was on display during one-on-ones, when he was matched up with Jaire Alexander. Watson was able to haul in a contested catch against him. Not many receivers win reps against Alexander, but Watson did there.

He showed off his positional versatility in what may have been the play of the day from Monday’s practice. Watson was in the second slot of a trips formation in a team drill.

Matched against Innis Gaines, Watson ran a slot fade, beat Gaines off the line of scrimmage and Jordan Love hit him in stride for a 67-yard-touchdown.

That is a matchup the Packers will be looking to find in opposing defenses when the season kicks off at the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10.

“I was talking to J-Love this morning and was telling him, ‘All we need is to hit on one of these deep balls and get that ball rolling.’ Watson said. “We wanted to take a shot and it worked. I think we’re going to continue to keep on climbing and continue to try to connect on those deep balls and continue to make plays.”

Watson’s come a long way from that first drop in Minnesota. Now, he’ll be one of the focal points of the passing game.

If Monday’s practice is any indication of what’s to come, it should be a big year for the former North Dakota State star.

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