This Packers Wide Receiver Has Been Put On Notice For 2024

The Green Bay Packers have one of the most talented groups of young wide receivers in the NFL. Oddly enough, the guy who was supposed to be their No. 1 option this past year may be their biggest question mark.

That’s Christian Watson, who played in just nine games in 2023 due to injury issues and may have fallen behind on the Packers’ depth chart.

Watson, who played his collegiate football at North Dakota State, was selected by Green Bay in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Considering Watson stands 6-foot-4 and ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, many were salivating over his potential heading into the pros.

However, injuries have severely limited Watson thus far.

The 25-year-old hauled in 41 receptions for 611 yards and seven touchdowns during his rookie campaign, but he missed three games. Then, this past year, he essentially played half a season and finished with 28 catches for 422 yards and five scores.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox seems to think there is a lot of pressure on Watson going into training camp, and he certainly has a point.

Knox notes that while Watson may have two years remaining on his deal, he may be running out of time to prove to the Packers that he belongs, especially in a crowded receiving corps.

Green Bay has Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks at the position, all of whom were able to stay healthy last season and had good years as a result.

Jordan Love has already become very accustomed to throwing to that trio. Meanwhile, he hasn’t exactly gotten a whole lot of field time with Watson.

The good news is that head coach Matt LaFleur is apparently “pleased” with what he has seen from Watson at organized team activities (via Bill Huber of Packer Central), so there is still hope for the youngster.

The Packers have been pegged as dark horse Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, so this is not really a rebuilding franchise. Green Bay is a team trying to win now, so it’s basically make or break time for Watson.

Obviously, it’s not Watson’s fault that he has not been able to stay healthy, but the Packers are not going to wait for him. If he can’t stay on the field in 2024, his time in Green Bay may ultimately come to an end.