FARGO ESPN's longtime NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. predicts former North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson is going to be a first-round selection in the upcoming draft.
Kiper Jr., who has covered the draft for ESPN since 1984, projects the Green Bay Packers to select Watson at No. 22 overall in his latest mock draft. The Packers have a need for receiving targets after trading All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
The Packers acquired the No. 22 selection in the Adams' trade. Kiper Jr. said the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Watson could be ready in his rookie season to help MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"There could be a run on wide receivers in the 20s, starting with the Patriots and Packers," Kiper Jr. wrote. "We know Green Bay needs one after the Davante Adams trade, but I don't think general manager Brian Gutekunst is going to force it. Watson is a riser, as teams see a 6-foot-4 receiver with 4.36 40 speed and elite measurables and think he can be a big-play threat who can grow into a better route runner. Watson averaged 20.4 yards per catch in his college career. Watson is ready to contribute for Aaron Rodgers as a rookie."
 Watson has been projected as first-round selection by multiple NFL analysts in recent weeks. The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 28-30 in Las Vegas.
If Watson is selected in the first round, the would give NDSU back-to-back first-round selections in the NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers selected for Bison QB Trey Lance at No. 3 overall in the 2021 draft.
ESPN's Todd McShay was among the notable analysts who also recently projected Watson to get selected in the first round.
McShay projected the Tennessee Titans to select Watson at No. 26 overall in the first round of his two-round mock draft in early April.
"It's a deep pass-catching class, and there are plenty of teams searching for playmakers on the outside," McShay wrote. "Yes, this is a bit of a reach, but Tennessee probably wasn't planning on six wideouts being off the board already. ... Watson is a big target who brings a vertical element to the table." ]]> |
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