Green Bay, Wis. – This is not a first-round receiver, but for Green Bay Packers, this is the next best thing.
In fact, the second is the next best thing.
Bakers general manager Brian Goodkunst, who led the team to a series run that did not create a receiver in the first round for 20 years on Thursday, did not wait long to make a move on Friday. He sent both of his second-round picks (Nos. 53 and 59) to rival Minnesota Vikings for the 34th overall test and used it on the North Dakota state receiver. Christian Watson.
Watson was the seventh recipient of the draft, and the first recipient from Day 2.
Watson became the latest second-round recipient created by the Packers, teaming up with the likes of it Tawante Adams (Overall No. 53 in 2014) Randall Cobb (No. 64 in 2011) and Jordi Nelson (No. 36 in 2008) – all of whom were star quarterbacks’ favorite targets. Aaron Rodgers.
“We had a lot of success with the second and third round receivers at Green Bay,” Rodgers said Thursday night at the Pat McAfee’s SiriusXM and YouTube show that the Packers did not pick up the first round receiver. “You see Greg Jennings, Jordi Nelson, Randall Kobe, James Jones in the third round. [in 2007], Apparently Davante Adams in the second round. Those guys turned out so well. “
Now, Watson needs to figure out how to gel with Rodgers, which has taken time for young recipients in the past.
When asked what he would say when he met Rodgers, Watson said, “I’m ready to work.” “I’m ready to learn, and I’m going to continue after that. I know he’s going to be tough on me, that’s what I want. I am, I will tell him I am ready to go.
Watson’s father, Tim, was selected by the Packers in the sixth round for a defense in 1993. Although his father never played for the Packers, he played a total of 13 games with the Kansas City Chiefs, the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles from 1993 to 1997.
When asked if his dad still has some Packers gear, Watson said: “I think he’s definitely going to do it. It’s a great achievement for him. It’s his roots, so he definitely has it. I hope he has a lot to throw when he gets home. Green and yellow around the house. “
The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Watson caught 43 passes for 801 yards with seven touchdowns last season for the North Dakota state that won the FCS national title. In four years for the Bison, he averaged 20.4 yards per catch and received two carrier kickoff returns per touchdown.
“His physical characteristics and his athletic ability make it so much easier [to contribute immediately] 6-foot, from someone at 185 pounds, “said Mild Hendrickson, director of Packers’ football operations.” He’s not; He’s a great man. “
This season, the Bakers traded Adams, who wanted to leave for the Las Vegas Raiders. The 53rd selection sent to Minnesota was part of that trade with Las Vegas, and was ranked 22nd overall. Green Bay also lost receivers Marquez Valdes-Scondling And Equivalent St. Brown In the free company.
Packers Top Returning Receiver Alan Lazard, Took 40 catches and eight touchdowns for 513 yards last season. There is no other width, including the new one, in the Green Payne list Sami WatkinsHad 400 yards last season.
The Green Bay receiver did not resolve the issue on Thursday, instead instead focusing on first-round defense, joining the Georgia team players using the 22nd overall pick in the linebacker. Quay Walker And coping Devonde Wyatt No. At 28.
The Packers did not pick a wide receiver in the first round after Florida’s Javon Walker finished 20th overall in 2002.
But this is the maximum that the Packers receiver took after the Walker test. Although Hendrickson did not say whether the Packers tried to pick Watson in the first round on Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens brought what Oz Newsom says to his old boss.
“I was in Baltimore and spent many years there [Newsome] He would always say, ‘A choice is only a choice until it becomes a player’, “Hendrickson said.” From that standpoint, if you love a player, find a way to get him. “
Information from the Associated Press is used in this report.
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