When counting whether or not a Wide Receiver had a great season, it tends to come down to the yardage total. Having one thousand yards receiving is usually a big landmark for a receiver. The Green Bay Packers have had many over the years. However, it’s been almost seven years since they’ve had one not-named Davante Adams. This was Jordy Nelson back in 2016. Oh, but don’t worry, Adams was just three yards shy of the landmark that year. I think this year, the Packers are going to see a new name on that 1K list. That is going to be Christian Watson.

Last year, Watson was second on the team to Allen Lazard with 611 yards on 41 catches and 7 touchdowns. That’s while being out due to injury for three games and seeing minimal targets until his week 10 breakout. The first half of the season, though QB Aaron Rodgers would talk highly of Watson, he still didn’t seem to trust him. That made the majority of Watson’s touches be manufactured gadget plays. Of course, these manufactured touches are valid and can help build confidence. But they don’t do a whole lot for that stat line when you’re looking for production. After Watson’s breakout in Week 10 vs the Cowboys, he finally then started to see more targets. It’s like the training wheels were ripped off and it was time to see what the kid out of North Dakota State could do.

In 2023, the Packers have nothing to lose. Expectations of this team are minimal at best. It’s time to let ‘er rip and see what this team has.

Love to Watson could be electrifying

Christian Watson has stated that the Packers have full confidence in Jordan Love. They’ve seen flashes of what he can do, and it’s only going to be put more on display. Everything seen so far is only going to be multiplied.

In regular season action, Jordan Love has only hit Christian Watson once. But that once was while Watson was cutting across the field and Watson turned it into a 63-yard touchdown. We wondered back then if it was a look into the Packers’ future. It absolutely could be, as it appears Love and Watson are developing a good relationship that can only get better on the football field.

The Packers have seen their fair share of legendary QB to WR connections over the years. Favre to Sharpe. Favre to Freeman. Favre to Driver. Rodgers to Jennings. Rodgers to Nelson. Rodgers to Adams. The next one could very well be, Love to Watson.

Watson’s speed and the confidence he gained last year is going to be a Godsend for Jordan Love. There’s no doubt that Love can launch a deep ball. But Jordan Love’s bread and butter in 2023 could be the manufactured quick passes designed to get the ball out of his hands and build his confidence. He’s going to have some big young tight ends to be on the receiving end of those quick routes. He’s going to have some great receiving running backs for some short wheel-routes as well. But who’s more likely to catch that 5-yard dart and take it the distance? Christian Watson.

Get it done

Watson is a threat whenever he touches that football. It’s like he catches that Mario Star and takes off with no one able to catch him.

We saw a few deep balls to Watson in 2022. Those are obvious stat boosters. A couple 60–70-yard bombs are going to take your season totals to new heights really quick. We might see a handful of those for Christian Watson in 2023. But my money is on those short crossers turning in to chunk plays. That five-yard slant turning in to 20 or more.

Romeo Doubs could be more of that outside receiving threat. Jayden Reed has been labeled a slot receiver, but there could still be a lot more in his future on the outside. Christian Watson just has that size and speed where he could line up anywhere on that field and be a threat. Heck, line him up has the single back in a shotgun formation and watch him take a short wheel-route to the house. The sky is the limit.

Of course, the one obstacle that could stand in Christian Watson’s way, is health. He missed some time last year due to injury and concussion protocol. But put that aside, and he will hit one thousand yards receiving this season. You can refer back to this article in January.

Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to PackersTalk as well as CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter at @gmeinholz. for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.

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