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David Levine -> RE: 2022 NFL draft (3/30/2022 6:04:31 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer
This would be the one I looked at late 2nd in a trade down or early 3rd:
9. Christian Watson, North Dakota State (rSR, 6'4", 208 pounds)
Following strong performances at the Senior Bowl and combine, Watson has been one of the biggest “winners” during the pre-draft process. Watson has an elite combination of size and speed with a wide catch radius and is elusive for a big receiver. The son of a former NFL safety (Tim Watson) ran the sixth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.36) among wide receivers and led all combine participants in the broad jump (11'4"). A big play waiting to happen, Watson averaged 20.4 yards per reception in his career and returned a pair of kickoffs for scores in 2020.
I'd be very happy picking him in the 2nd.
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
• A perfect combination of speed (4.36 in the 40) and size (just over 6-4 and 211 lbs) combined with top-level athletic ability
• Lit up the combine and ran a 4.36, a 38.5 vertical and a 136 broad jump
• A savvy, natural pass-catcher with reliable hands and very good focus. Snatches the ball out of the air and shows the concentration to make acrobatic catches look easy.
• A fantastic 50/50 ball catcher - has the arm length leaping ability and catch radius to bring in contested catches
• Watson has proved to be an elite kick returner and so offer dual role appeall
• Equally adept playing from the slot as split outside in a traditional WR role
• Has been used as an effective runner from the backfield - will transition well to an offense that makes use of the jet sweeps in their offense
• Has a knack for getting open and is a quarterback's best friend - passers just need to toss the ball in his area and he'll come down with it.
• Has long arms to stiff-arm defensive backs in the open field. Willing to lower his pads to run through tackles for extra yardage. Goes over the middle, can spin out of tackles and take the big hit.
• Very good hands accepts the ball fluidly on most throws and is ready to make a play afterward. Makes catches in traffic, even going up over taller defenders with vertical and toughness.
• Plays fast and confident. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch.
• Fluid athlete with explosive burst and speed to stretch the field and breeze past defenders. Has a quick first step and gets to top speed in a hurry.
• Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. Elite, darting stop-and-go acceleration. Dangerous in the open field.
• Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Willing to go up and attack the ball.
• Great honor roll student who even was on the Walter Payton watchlist
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
• Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest.
• Has had an issue with drops - 16 in his four years at NDSU, although only 2 in 2021
• Very raw and inexperienced as a WR - far from a perfect route runner and has developed a tendency to round his routes off
• Has operated with a limited route tree - has beaten DBs with athleticism and speed rather than technique. He will not be able get away with this in the pros
• Like all prospects not from the top level - it will be asked just how well he can perform against at a higher level of competition.
• He has the deep speed you want in a WR but isn't quite as twitchy as you would like - doesn't have elite change of direction skills
SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY
Christian Watson is an intriguing talent who possesses elite athletic skills, speed, length, and size combined with decent hands - which when put together makes him an elite deep threat. He however has limited experience as a WR - having totaled just 104 reception in four years at NDSU and is still very raw and not currently a nuanced player. Watson also plays in the FCS and as a result, may struggle to adapt to jumping what will be effectively two levels of competition.
Overall we consider Watson to be an impressive prospect who will likely take time to develop skills as a pro WR but in the meantime get a chance to showcase his skills as a kick returner.
After a dominating combine performance, Watson now is even being talked about as a potential first-round pick, however, we expect him to be looked at as a second-round prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft.
https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Christian-Watson-WR-NorthDakotaState
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