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Great fits for Packers at top need positions in 2022 NFL draft

Finding great fits for the Packers at all the team’s biggest need positions entering the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers are going into the 2022 NFL draft with 11 picks – or opportunities – to add talent and provide answers to roster needs. The highly anticipated event begins on Thursday night with the first round, starts up again Friday with the second and third rounds and finishes on Saturday with Rounds 3-7.

Here’s one great fit at each of the Packers’ need positions for each day of the 2022 NFL draft:

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 6 Chris Olave

Ohio State WR Chris Olave checks in at No. 6 on Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers traded one of the best route runners in the NFL when they sent Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for the 22nd and 53rd overall picks. 

A player that Brian Gutekunst could target with the 22nd overall pick to help replace Adams is Chris Olave. The Ohio State wide receiver checks in at No. 6 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

A three-star recruit out of California, Olave hauled in three touchdowns as a freshman in 2018. In 2019, Olave recorded 48 receptions for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns. The following season Olave hauled in 50 receptions for 729 yards and seven touchdowns.

Olave finished this past season with 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

“Ohio State this past season had arguably the best receiving room in the country with Olave playing more of an elder statesmen role,” Christopher Renne, a contributor for Land Grant Holy Land,  said. “Olave’s junior season was his best per game production in receptions and yards, but his 13 touchdowns this season helped him set the all-time career receiving touchdown record.”

If Olave had declared for the 2021 NFL draft, the Ohio State wide receiver likely would have been a Top 40 pick. He returned to school and now will likely be a Top 25 pick.

“From the standpoint of what NFL teams including the Packers are looking for, Olave showed he could play stronger in one-on-one situations at the catch point,” Renne said. “His speed will always make him a dynamic weapon as a deep threat, and he utilized it much more after the catch than in previous seasons. Overall, his last season was a lot of the same, which was elite, but he did improve in the areas he came back to get better at.” 

Olave has a master’s degree in route running. He’s so smooth and is arguably the best route runner in this class. He’s so sudden off the line of scrimmage, with fancy footwork to beat press coverage. He has subtle movements in his routes that help him create separation and consistently get open. The route technician is smooth in and out of his breaks, with no wasted movements. He shows good late burst on vertical routes to create separation downfield.

Olave is a three-level threat. With his top speed and ability to create late separation on vertical routes, Olave could provide Green Bay with the vertical threat they desperately need.

“Brian Hartline has taken the Ohio State receiving room to another level by coaching his receivers to create separation,” Renne said. “Olave is a natural when it comes to creating separation and this comes from every step of the route. The way he eats up the defender’s cushions, leans into stems to set up his route, and his explosiveness out of the break all make him a great route runner.”

Olave has reliable hands. He plucks the ball out of the air without throttling down. He tracks the ball well on deep routes and has late hands. Olave has a good-sized catch radius and shows outstanding body control when the ball is in the air.

“Olave improved every year in this regard, he was the most reliable target for three quarterbacks in big games throughout his career at Ohio State,” Renne said. “His defining moment will be the post route he caught against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl Semifinal match up, but when you look at his highlights there are a lot of tough catches. This past season, he made one along the sideline that everybody ogled over and one my favorite plays of his came against Michigan State when he jumped over two defenders to make an incredible catch in the endzone. Then against Maryland he showed that even when he probably shouldn’t make the catch, he still can.”

Olave isn’t a huge YAC threat. That’s okay, neither was Adams. Olave is a separator and will be a quarterback’s best friend due to the fact that he’s always open and has reliable hands. Anything he offers in terms of YAC will be gravy. With his speed and track background, Olave will occasionally bust off a big run. His 4.39 speed will put added stress on a defense when the ball is in his hands.

“This is probably the ‘worst’ aspect of Olave’s game, but he still has plenty of speed to run by defenders,” Renne said. “He’s not as shifty as Wilson or as explosive as Jameson Williams after the catch. Last season he developed a nice stiff arm which gave him quite a bit more YAC yards, but his shiftiness won’t ooze off the screen.” 

The Ohio State wide receiver isn’t the biggest (187 pounds), but he’s a willing blocker out on the perimeter. Due to his size, he may not be a people mover, but the “want to” is there. 

“You do not get on the field at Ohio State if you aren’t a willing blocker,” Renne said. “Olave started making plays as a true freshman, and when Urban Meyer was in charge, this was a point emphasis that also stayed with Ryan Day. The offensive line and J.K. Dobbins were obviously the two key cogs of his 2,000 yard rushing season, but you don’t have those big plays without receivers doing their job in the run game as well. His size might present some challenges for him in this regard at the next level, but he will be a willing blocker.”

Olave also has experience playing on special teams. He blocked a punt during his first season on campus. It’s not likely something the star wide receiver will do at the next level, but it’s just another box that Olave checks.

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Fit with the Packers

Olave is NFL-ready. There just aren’t any major holes in his games.  The Packers desperately need an infusion of talent at the wide receiver position and landing one of the best wide receivers in this draft class would be a great start in replacing Adams.

“Olave brings a little bit of everything to the table,” Renne said. “In the NFL, the ability to create separation is incredibly underrated and there isn’t a receiver in this class better at that than Olave. When you look at that in order, Drake London and Garrett Wilson probably provide that the most, but Olave is a more dynamic deep threat than both. When you look around the successful receivers at different ends of the spectrum in the NFL like Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, and even Hunter Renfrow, you see a common theme. The ability to create separation at the break point of routes. Olave was a master of this in college which is why I would draft Olave.”

There is a veteran-like savvy to Olave’s game. As a rookie, the Ohio State product could step in and be a team’s No. 2 wide receiver, with the potential to develop into a team’s top target.

If Olave were to land in Green Bay, he’d be the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. With his polished route running and reliable hands, Olave would quickly endure himself to the reigning MVP. 

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Packers host pre-draft visit with Penn State S Jaquan Brisker

The Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with Penn State S Jaquan Brisker.

The Green Bay Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker, according to David Wyatt-Hupton.

Brisker played in 34 games (21 starts), produced 153 tackles (10 for loss), 19 pass breakups and five interceptions, and was a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He was a second-team All-American after creating 64 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions for Penn State’s defense in 2021.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Brisker as the No. 5 overall safety and No. 42 overall player in the draft class.

Brisker is best playing closer to the line of scrimmage and could profile as a versatile in-the-box safety, much like former Packers defensive back Morgan Burnett. If selected by Green Bay, Brisker could give the Packers a third safety type as a rookie before eventually moving into a starting role if either Adrian Amos or Darnell Savage depart following the 2022 season.

Brisker (6-1, 199) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, hit 34.5″ in the vertical leap and covered 10-4 in the broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. He completed the short shuttle in 4.19 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.91 seconds while also improving his 40 time to 4.43 seconds and vertical leap to 38.5″ at Penn State’s pro day. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is 9.13

Brisker turned 23 years old on April 20.

Brennen Rupp’s breakdown of Brisker can be viewed here.

The Packers would likely need to use a first-round pick or potentially trade up in the second round to get Brisker next week.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 7 George Karlaftis

Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis checks in at No. 7 in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL draft.

Rashan Gary and Preston Smith give the Green Bay Packers a formidable pass-rushing duo. That duo combined for 18.5 sacks last season and could see that number climb this season.

The depth behind those two pass-rushers leaves much to be desired. Look for Brian Gutekunst to address the position early and often in the 2022 NFL draft.

A player that Green Bay’s general manager could target in the first round is George Karlaftis. The Purdue edge rusher checks in at No. 7 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Born in Greece, Karlaftis moved to Indiana when he was a teenager. He came to Purdue as a four-star recruit. 

Karlaftis made waves as a freshman in 2019, recording 54 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one interception. In 2020, Karlaftis played in just three games and recorded two sacks.

This past season Karlaftis recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and forced three fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, the Purdue edge rusher recorded 35 pressures. 

“By just looking at the numbers, you would think George didn’t have a productive season,” Mike Carmin, the Purdue beat writer for The Journal & Courier, said. “But he did. You have to watch the tape. He was double and triple teamed most of the time, limiting his chances of collecting sacks and tackles for loss. His value last season was in pressuring the quarterback and knocking him off his spot. I’m sure an analytical service can provide you how many times quarterbacks had to throw quicker than normal because Karlaftis was in their face. He didn’t get the sacks, but he impacted how quarterbacks played against Purdue’s defense. It allowed other players on the defense to make plays and that made the Boilermakers a solid group last season.”

The Greek Freak. Karlaftis is an outstanding athlete. He was a two-time Indiana State Champion in the shot put. At the combine he posted a vertical of 38″ and a broad jump of 10-1. At Purdue’s pro day he clocked a 40-time of 4.77. Those numbers back up why Karlaftis was No. 7 on Bruce Feldman’s 2021 Freak’s list.

From Feldman:

Karlaftis is a remarkable all-around athlete. He played on the U16 Greek national water polo team as a 13-year-old…At 272 pounds, Karlaftis’ body fat has dropped from 25 percent to 15 percent at Purdue. He power-cleans 380, did a 505-pound front squat, a 10-1 broad jump and a 37-inch vertical jump. His 40 this offseason was 4.69. As part of his preparation, he spends an hour a day doing hand-to-hand combat and MMA drills, an hour on rehab/mobility exercises and a third hour watching film.

His position coach Mark Hagan has coached big-time players and says Karlaftis’ overall commitment to being elite is as good as anyone he’s ever been around in terms of “proper nutrition, proper hydration, extra time in the training room to take care of his body, extra stretching, extra meeting and video, extra drill work — every day. I’ve literally got to shut him down at times so he doesn’t overtrain.”

That commitment to be great shows up on tape. Karlaftis plays hard on every snap and never quits hustling, with a motor that runs hot. 

“He’s relentless in his pursuit, never taking a play off,” Carmin said. “He’s a fighter at the line of scrimmage ready to battle players who might weigh more but his technique combined with his own strength gave me an edge throughout the season.”

Karlaftis is a rocked-up, powerful edge rusher. It’s truly impressive to watch him just forklift offensive tackles off the ground. He has quick, powerful hands that shock offensive lineman. To go along with all that power, the Greek Freak has a quick first step to get offensive lineman off balance. He has a deep bag of tricks as a pass rusher, including rip, chop and swim moves. 

“His hands are impressive,” Carmin said. “The work he’s put in to increase the strength in his hands is impressive. He’s even worked with professional fighters to gain an edge in this area. His strong lower body gives him a solid base to thrust forward, get into offensive linemen, and shed their blocks.”

As a run defender, Karlaftis is strong at the point of attack. Karlaftis isn’t a long edge rusher, and at times can struggle to disengage. He’s not a great run defender, like fellow 2022 edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, but he’s no slouch either. He has a radar for the football and made a living off making plays behind the line of scrimmage, with 30 career tackles for loss in just 27 games. It’s part of his game that improved each season and will likely only continue to grow with NFL coaching.

“He has good speed to stretch plays out but also hold up at the point of attack,” Carmin said. “He’ll stick his nose into the pile to make a play. His discipline is also a key to his success and that part of his game came to the forefront under the direction of defensive line coach Mark Hagen, one of the best in the business. The techniques Hagen taught helped Karlaftis take a big step forward this season.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to improve the depth behind Gary and Smith. Karlaftis would not only provide that depth, but he’d also give Joe Barry a versatile piece that he could move around the front seven. 

The Purdue edge rusher is powerful and strong enough to line up on the interior in certain packages, while also being able to stand up and rush the passer. Imagine a team facing a third and long with the Packers rushing Kenny Clark, Gary, Smith and Karlaftis. In the words of Lucius Fox, “Good luck”. 

“You know what you’re getting with Karlaftis,” Carmin said. “There are no secrets with Karlaftis. There’s plenty of upside since he hasn’t played the sport for a long time compared to other players his age and that will allow him to enjoy a solid NFL career as long as he stays healthy. He can make an impact as a rookie in the right system.”

The Purdue edge rusher has long been somebody that screamed “Gutekunst” type first round selection. He’s an elite athlete. He plays a premium position and he’s only 21 years old. It’s not out of the question that Gutekunst moves up to snag Karlaftis. If he were to fall right into Green Bay’s lap at 22, it could be a safe bet that Karlaftis would be the selection. If that happens, there will be a new Greek Freak in the state of Wisconsin.

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15 players we love for the Packers in the first round of 2022 draft

Here are all the prospects we’d love for the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers are one of several teams entering the 2022 NFL draft with two first-round picks. General manager Brian Gutekunst will probably have to do some waiting on Thursday night, but with picks No. 22 and No. 28 in his possession, he’ll have a real opportunity to add top-tier talent to an already talented roster during the first round of the draft.

Who will he be targeting come late Thursday night?

Packers Wire managing editor Zach Kruse and contributors Brennen Rupp and Brandon Carwile pick their favorite options for the Packers in the first round:

Packers host pre-draft visit with Penn State OT Rasheed Walker

The Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with Rasheed Walker, who started 32 games at LT for Penn State over the last 3 seasons.

The Green Bay Packers hosted a pre-draft visit with Penn State offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

Walker (6-5, 313) started 32 games at left tackle and was a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He started for three straight seasons and was a team captain in 2021.

According to Pro Football Focus, Walker gave up 26 pressures as a pass-blocker in 2021, including four sacks.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Walker as the 10th best offensive tackle prospect in the class and projects him as a third- or fourth-round pick.

While Walker has 33-inch arms and a wingspan of 80 inches, he didn’t do athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine or Penn State’s pro day. The visit to Green Bay might be the team’s opportunity to complete his profile before the draft.

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Packers film room: What does WR Sammy Watkins bring to the offense?

Breaking down the tape of new Packers WR Sammy Watkins, and highlighting what he can bring to Matt LaFleur’s offense.

The Green Bay Packers finally added to a position that was starting to grow thin by signing wide receiver Sammy Watkins at the end of last week. His contract is a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, granting Watkins the opportunity to compete for snaps and bring a veteran presence to a room that just lost Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.  

Originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 2014 NFL draft, Watkins most recently spent last season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.  

The former top-five pick had a promising start to his career before injuries became an issue. During his first two seasons in Buffalo, Watkins totaled 125 receptions for 2,029 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, Watkins has yet to play a full season since his rookie year and has yet to reach at least 700 receiving yards in a season since 2015.  

Matt LaFleur’s familiarity with Watson likely played a role in his signing. The two worked together during the 2017 season when both were employed by the Los Angles Rams. With LaFleur as the offensive coordinator, Watkins caught 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns.  

Watkins appeared in 15 games during his one season with LaFleur, but injuries have since been an issue. In total, he has missed 18 games over the last four years. In 2021, Watkins played in 13 games but posted career-lows in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Baltimore’s run-heavy offense and an ankle injury to former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson probably didn’t help.  

This week, we are diving into some of Watkins’ film from last season. The objective is to see what he might bring to Green Bay’s offense and if there is any juice left in his 28-year-old legs. Due to the way Watkins’ contract is structured, he is not a lock to make next year’s team. But a healthy Watkins does have a strong chance if he finds a role that will help the Packers win games in 2022.  

The same day Watkins’ deal was announced, Aaron Rodgers told his good friend Pat McAfee that he is “excited” to have the wide receiver as a teammate. Green Bay needs another guy who can work underneath and make plays to keep the chains moving. This play design by the Ravens was a perfect zone beater, with Watkins finding a soft spot right at the sticks. Great display of mental processing by Watkins to get the correct depth on his route. Any team in the NFL will welcome this type of play.  

Watkins may not be the deep threat he once was, but he can still make plays with his feet. Here he runs a simple drag route but uses his speed to gain the edge around the defender for a huge gain. It would be a great help if Watkins can pick up yards after the catch, even on a semi-consistent basis.  

Ideally, you would like to see Watkins gain more separation against a linebacker. However, this is still a great display of his ball tracking and hopefully is a sign that Rodgers will be able to trust him on these types of throws down the field.  

This is really good to see from Watkins. He can still win on slant routes when the corner is in man coverage. Watkins remains patient and gives the deception of an outside release before cutting to the inside. His technique was good enough to get the defender to bite so he could gain the necessary separation to make the play. Nothing too crazy to look at here, just a solid example of Watkins’ ability to win off the line of scrimmage.   

From 2019 to 2021, no wide receiver with a minimum of 500 snaps received a higher run Pro Football Focus blocking grade than Watkins. This is a guy who is not afraid to get physical and can be relied upon as a play-side run blocker. Watch as he engages with the defender using solid hand placement and active feet to prevent him from making a tackle. Run blocking as a receiver is obviously a big deal in LaFleur’s offense, and Watkins certainly checks that box.  

Watkins should be able to help anytime Rodgers is in a scramble drill. He understands what to do and where to be to provide an option for the quarterback when the play is off-script. Also, you got to love the concentration Watkins shows to make this catch.   

People were quick to point out Watkins’ 4.4 speed after he signed, but this isn’t a guy who will consistently stretch the field. Valdes-Scantling was able to run by defenders and make it look easy, but that probably won’t be the case for Watkins.  

No, Watkins is not an elite route runner. His stems can be rounded at times, which hinders separation, but he is about to enter a scheme that accommodates its wide receivers. The fact that Watkins is smart and understands leverage will hopefully squeeze out what is left of his potential. 

No one should expect Watkins to come in and return to his 2014-15 form. Playing with Rodgers should elevate his play some, but this is a guy who has experienced a lot of wear and tear on his body and is nearing 30. If Watkins can play in 14 games and give the Packers somewhere around 500 yards and a few touchdowns on the year, both parties should be pleased. 

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Categorizing Packers’ roster needs entering 2022 NFL draft

Separating the Packers’ roster needs into four different tiers based on the team’s roster construction entering the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2022 NFL draft with a strong roster overall but also clear needs. Armed with 11 picks, general manager Brian Gutekunst has a chance to fill in the gaps, improve his team’s chances at a Super Bowl this year and build on the foundation of the roster for years to come.

This post from Joe Goodberry represents a smart way of looking at roster needs. There are immediate needs, long-term needs and depth needs, and teams use the draft to address all three to varying degrees.

Instead of rankings roster needs, let’s categorize the individual needs into the four tiers: rookie contributors, long-term developmental players, positional depth and no clear need.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 8 Christian Watson

North Dakota State WR Christian Watson checks in at No. 8 in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL draft.

After trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for the 22nd and 53rd overall picks, the Green Bay Packers need to reload at the wide receiver position.

If it weren’t for the Atlanta Falcons, the group of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins and Amari Rodgers could stake claim to the worst wide receiver depth chart in the NFL.

A rookie wide receiver isn’t going to turn the ugly duckling into a swan, but the 2022 NFL draft offers Brian Gutekunst a chance to start the remodeling process of the wide receiver room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

A wide receiver that Green Bay’s general manager could target in the upcoming draft is Christian Watson. The North Dakota State University wide receiver checks in at No. 8 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Watson, a two-star recruit out of Florida, finished his career at NDSU with 31 starts. As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, Watson recorded 34 receptions for 732 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 21.5 yards per reception and led the team in receiving yards. The dynamic playmaker added one rushing touchdown. 

In 2020, Watson caught 19 passes for 442 yards. He averaged 23.3 yards per reception and once again led the team in receiving yards. The Florida native also returned two kickoffs back for touchdowns.

Despite missing three games in 2021, Watson hauled in 43 passes for 801 yards and seven touchdowns. Watson added one rushing touchdown to his stat line.

Watson has a rare combination of size and speed. At 6-4, with 4.36 speed, Watson can challenge cornerbacks vertically. He chews up grass with his long strides and is able to get on top of cornerbacks. With his length, leaping ability and ball tracking skills, Watson has a huge catch radius and is going to win a lot of 50/50 balls downfield.

“Watson has enough speed to threaten defenses downfield,” Mark Schofield of The Touchdown Wire said. “He tested extremely well at the combine, as reflected by his impressive 9.98 Relative Athletic Score, and posting a 4.36 40-yard dash certainly checks off the speed part of the resume. Another aspect to his game that will help downfield is his catch radius, and his ball-tracking skills. Watson has the ability to track the football over his shoulder and make those difficult catches in traffic, and that is a huge part of being a downfield threat at the next level.”

Watson has juice after the catch. He’s an explosive athlete with a track background. It was no accident that he averaged over 20 yards per reception during his time in Fargo. He’s able to take short passes and turn them into chunk plays with his speed. There is a play against Valparaiso this past season where he took a jet sweep and took it to the house for a 65-yard touchdown. According to PFF, Watson averaged eight yards after the catch this past season.  

“This is another one of his strengths,” Schofield said. “Watson is very impressive after the catch, and can beat you in a few different ways. For a bigger receiver, he is surprisingly elusive with the football in his hands, and has made defenders miss on film. But his size and strength also makes him tough for smaller defenders in the open field.  Of course, making the jump from the FCS to the NFL might level that playing field a bit, but Watson showed these traits at the Senior Bowl as well.”

As a route runner, Watson will need some polishing around the edges. However, he accelerates smoothly off the line of scrimmage to quickly enter his route. Watson has good lower body twitch and is able to explode in and out of his cuts to create separation.

“Route running is an area where I would describe him as solid, with room to grow,” Schofield said. “He has some nuance to his routes, and can use head fakes, leans, shoulder movements and other ways to help sell defenders on routes before breaking away from their leverage. He is also adept at using his size and frame to work himself open late in the play, or against tighter coverage. Learning to sink his hips more on routes, which might be a tough ask, given his size.”

Watson can be utilized in a variety of ways. He can line up out of the backfield, in the slot, on the boundary. He was utilized on jet sweeps and bubble screens. With his size and speed, his usage is only limited by the offensive coordinator’s imagination.

Playing in NDSU’s pro-style, run-heavy offense, unsurprisingly, Watson is a very good blocker out on the perimeter. With his frame, he’s able to not only get in the way of defensive backs, but drive them downfield. 

A step up in competition didn’t seem to be an issue for Watson during Senior Bowl Week. The NDSU playmaker was voted top wide receiver on the National team for his efforts during practice. 

From PFF:

“Watson needed the Senior Bowl purely from a tape perspective. He hailed from a North Dakota State offense that had him run a grand total of 348 routes over the last two seasons. For context, 130 FBS wide receivers ran more routes than that in 2021 alone. Watson showed an ability to defeat press coverage that you rarely see from a 6-foot-4 wide receiver.”

As a rookie, Watson will provide an immediate impact as a kick returner. He finished his career in Fargo with two kickoff return touchdowns and averaged 26.4 yards per kick return.

“The potential for Watson to contribute on special teams is another part of the package,” Schofield said. “His ability after the catch translates well to the return game, and we saw that on the field for the Bison. I would imagine the team that drafts him, whether Green Bay or another franchise, will look to get him involved on special teams early in his career.”

Over the past two seasons, Watson has been credited with 12 drops. Does he have inconsistent hands? Or does he suffer from concentration drops? Or was it the fact that he was looking to turn upfield before securing the catch?

“I tend to side with Matt Harmon, who does tremendous work covering wide receivers for both Yahoo and his Reception Perception, when it comes to drops,” Schofield said. “As Matt puts it, drops are a bit noisy. The technique from Watson is there at the catch point, I think the drops were sometimes due to a lack of concentration or as you suggest a desire to catch and turn upfield, and make that quick transition from receiver to runner.”

Fit with the Packers

The NDSU wide receiver checks all the boxes with his size (6-4), speed (4.36), blocking, leaping ability (38.5 inch vertical) and special teams value as a return man. He’s an explosive playmaker that Matt LaFleur could use in a variety of ways.

“I think Watson offers NFL franchises a potential X-type of receiver who can win downfield and working over the middle, while adding some big-play potential in the quick passing game thanks to what he can do after the reception,” Schofield said. “I think specifically in Green Bay, his route tree on day one is a fit for what the Packers look to accomplish in the passing game. He can give the Packers a vertical element, but also those shallow crossers and other routes that pair with their play-action designs, are a big part of what he offers. I think the fit of Watson in Green Bay makes a great deal of sense.”

The Packers need an infusion of young talent at the wide receiver position. The Packers could target Watson with one of their two second round picks or if they feel so inclined they could move up on day two to snag the dynamic playmaker.

As a rookie, Watson could give Green Bay’s kick return game a much needed shot in the arm. On the offensive side of the ball, Watson would give the Packers a much-needed vertical threat. He could also be utilized as a moveable chess piece. LaFleur could dial up manufactured touches for him to get the ball in his hands and let him put stress on the defense with his quickness. 

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WR Desean Jackson interested in playing for Packers in 2022

Desean Jackson, who is considering retirement, would have interest in playing with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in 2022.

A chance to play with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers might be enough to convince veteran wide receiver Desean Jackson to return to the NFL for the 2022 season.

Jackson, who has played 14 seasons, told Ashley Nicole Moss of SINow.com he is considering retirement but that the Packers are one of the teams with the kind of situation that could lure him back to play in 2022. He also mentioned the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos.

What would it take him to play next season?

“If the right situation called,” Jackson told Moss.

He said he wants to play with “a great quarterback, not a good quarterback.”

Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP, fits the bill.

The obvious caveat here: a signing takes two to tango, and there’s no indication that the Packers are interested in adding Jackson, who is 35 years old and coming off a season with only 20 catches over 16 games.

Jackson called himself “one of the best deep threats ever.”

It’s worth noting that Jackson played for Sean McVay in a similar offensive system in Los Angeles and then played for new Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia in Las Vegas to end last season.

In his prime, Jackson was a dangerous playmaker with game-changing vertical speed and ability. His career average per catch is 17.6 yards. He also has five seasons with over 1,000 yards and two more over 900.

Last season, Jackson caught eight passes for the Rams (seven games) and 12 for the Raiders (nine games) and averaged 22.4 yards per catch. He produced six catches of at least 20 yards, including touchdowns of 75 yards (from Matthew Stafford) and 56 yards (from Derek Carr).

While a signing is probably unlikely, it’s possible the Packers could gain some interest in Jackson if the team is unable to find a viable deep threat during the draft.

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