North Dakota State’s Christian Watson will try to become the latest wide receiver to find success with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers traded up 19 spots in the second round Friday to take Watson with the 34th overall selection in the NFL draft.
Green Bay opened the day with two second round picks at No. 53 and No. 59 overall. The Packers traded both of those picks to the Minnesota Vikings for the right to take Watson at No. 34.
Aaron Jones announced the trade.
The Aaron Jones looks great announcing the #Packers trading up and both their second rounders to get WR Christian Watson pic.twitter.com/qZgCyGVSHm
— Lance Allan (@lanceallan) April 29, 2022
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Watson registered a 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash with a 38.5-inch vertical.
"Watson averaged 20.4 yards per reception on 105 career catches for 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns," the Packers said in a news release. "He was responsible for a 20-plus yard gain 57 times in 180 total touches (rushes, receptions, returns) over his four-year career, or one of every three times he had the ball."
.@ChristianW2017 averaged 20.4 yards per reception on 105 career catches at NDSU. #PackersDraft | @SchneiderCareer pic.twitter.com/daZ0kpzUKv
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 30, 2022
He is a multiple-time FCS national champion and was named second-team FCS All-America by the Associated Press at receiver in 2021.
"After losing Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason, the Packers welcome Watson to a receiver room that returns veteran Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and 2021 third-round pick Amari Rodgers," the Packers said in a statement.
The Packers drafted his father Tim Watson in 1993.
.@ChristianW2017 is ready to get to work! #GoPackGo #PackersDraft | @SchneiderCareer pic.twitter.com/fcfJE9OnD0
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 30, 2022
The Packers also selected offensive tackle Sean Rhyan from UCLA with the 92nd overall pick in round 3 of the NFL Draft on Friday.
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NFL Draft Day 1 Green Bay Packers review:
The Green Bay Packers held off on addressing their issues at receiver and instead continued loading up on defensive players from Georgia.
Green Bay chose Georgia linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd overall selection and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt six picks later.
- 'It's a reunion': Top 2 Packers picks from Georgia defense
- The Green Bay Packers select Quay Walker from Georgia with 22nd pick in NFL Draft
- Packers select DT Devonte Wyatt from Georgia with 28th pick in the NFL Draft
All three of the Packers’ first-round picks over the last two years have been Georgia defensive players.
They took Bulldogs cornerback Eric Stokes with the 29th overall selection last year.
