Aaron Rodgers sees similarities in Christian Watson, Davante Adams as rookies

With Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams in Las Vegas, Green Bay Packers second-round pick Christian Watson received the lion’s share of attention following the draft as Adams’ presumed heir apparent.

And although four games into the year, it’s fourth-round receiver Romeo Doubs who leads the team in receptions, targets, and yards, quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated during his recent appearance on the Pat McAfee show, that it may not be long before Watson starts reaching his Adams-like potential.

“Look, I tell you, he’s got special speed; he really does,” Rodgers said. “He’s got incredible stride length. When you watch some of the film back, it’s similar to watching Davante his rookie year. You know there were games where I didn’t give Davante a ton of looks, but you go back and watch the film, and you’re thinking, ‘Man, this guy is open often.’ It’s like that from time to time with Christian. 

“There’s a few routes, I mean not as much as Davante — I just think Davante was a little more polished route runner as a rookie — but there are a few times where I might need to give him a second look even when things don’t look great from the start because he does have that different type of speed. But we’re finding ways to use him, I think, and again, we have to have patience.”

During his rookie year, Adams finished with 38 receptions on 66 targets for 446 yards and three touchdowns. He was Green Bay’s No. 3 receiver behind Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, who each put up 90-reception, 1,000-yard seasons with double-digit touchdowns.

Watson has been used this year primarily as the fourth receiver behind Doubs, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb. He’s played 27 snaps out wide and 17 in the slot. Through four games, Watson has six receptions on 10 targets for 51 yards.