The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Southern Miss receiver Quez Watkins:
What he can do
– Long, lean body type. Weighed in at the combine at 185. Nearly 80″ wingspan
– Abundance of speed. Ran 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, with one of the best 10-yard splits in the receiver class
– Uses speed to motor away from defenders and turn catches into big plays. YAC threat in space
– Tons of big-play production on short crossers underneath
– Play strength is a concern. Too lean and easily disrupted at the line or at the top of routes by stronger players. Alabama pressed him to death. Caught only three passes for 24 yards during a tough afternoon against Trevon Diggs
– Needs to get stronger
– Won within routes with speed. Can work vertically, or across the field. Offense let him just out-run corners. Rarely needed to win with nuance or cunning. Will need more refinement at the next level
– Hit 36.5″ in the vertical. Long arms and jumping ability create above the rim opportunities
– Several impressive catches in traffic on 50/50 balls downfield. Wins good chunk of contested catch opportunities
– Tracks football well on vertical shots. Comfortable making catches over the shoulder on the run
– Late hands on deep balls. Hides clues and snags the incoming football without providing reaction time for defender
– Stretches the seam from the slot
– Didn’t accomplish much in quick screen game
– Produced over 2,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over final two seasons
How he fits
As a Day 3 developmental receiver type. Even if the Packers grab a receiver in the first few rounds, it’d make sense for GM Brian Gutekunst to dip back into this talented class of pass-catchers and draft at least one more, especially if he can find one with some legit upside. Watkins needs time to develop as an overall receiver, but he has 4.35 speed, burst after the catch, long arms and ball-tracking ability, providing long-term potential as a big-play threat. His role will likely be strictly defined at the next level, but he’ll have a chance to be very good in that role.
NFL comp
Paul Richardson. Both are lean speedsters with a finesse game and an ability to go up and win catches down the field. They are almost identical in size, athleticism, collegiate experience and play style. Richardson looked like an emerging big-play threat in Seattle before injuries started derailing his career.
Where Packers could get him
At some point on Day 3. His projections range between the fourth and seventh rounds. The Packers have seven picks in that range and could easily use one on a receiver like Watkins.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis