Need for Speed: Christian Watson picking up where he left off in necessary boost

The Packers have an extremely deep group of receivers, but no one on the team can bring to the table the field-stretching speed and big play ability of Christian Watson.

First, it was Romeo Doubs. Then Dontayvion Wicks had a turn. Grant DuBose turned heads this week.

In such a deep receiver room, every receiver could have a day or multiple practices where he looks like the best guy at the position. But every day, like a Swiss timepiece, Christian Watson makes an explosive play. We can argue over who will get the most targets, and who will consistently play the “X” in this offense, but there’s no doubt who threatens defenses on every play he’s on the field. Green Bay’s ability to successfully hunt explosives last year fundamentally changed the offense. Watson’s health could keep this offense running with Rolex-like precision.

Through nine games last year, the Packers landed dead last in first-half explosive play rate. They beat their heads into the wall running A.J. Dillon behind an offensive line still in flux with a first-time starter at right tackle and a platoon on the left side. They called conservative passes or random deep shots with no real flow or rhythm. From Week 10 on, Green Bay finished 3rd in explosive play rate in first halves, a testament to Matt LaFleur’s willingness to take shots early, the health of Christian Watson, albeit briefly, and Jayden Ree’ds ascendence as the only other player capable of stretching the defense.

Green Bay has all of its receivers back healthy, but has to find some plays on early downs and early in games to create explosives even as defenses gear up to stop a passing attack that will no longer sneak up on anyone.

Editor's note: Before we get to the good stuff behind the paywall, The Leap HQ wanted to remind you that readers can lock in a discount of nearly 50% off our 2024 annual rate for their first year. This offer will expire in less than a week, so now is the time to take … the leap!