Christian Watson was a very good receiver throughout his 5 seasons at North Dakota State, however actually shot up the draft boards with a powerful Senior Bowl after which wowed once more on the NFL Mix with a blazing 4.36 40-time and different intriguing measurements. He’s one of many uncommon big-bodied wideouts that additionally gives play-making velocity.
Watson red-shirted throughout his true freshman season in 2017. His greatest season was the redshirt senior 12 months when he gained 914 whole yards and scored eight occasions. He was a kickoff returner for his last two years and ended with an eye-popping 20.7 yards common catch. Watson enters the draft with electrifying potential that may enchantment to many groups, however with out the prolonged resume of a high-volume receiver.
Peak: 6-4
Weight: 208 kilos
40 time: 4.36 seconds
He performed on a Bison staff that solely misplaced three video games in his 4 taking part in seasons whereas successful 4 NCAA Championships. North Dakota State has dominated the Missouri Valley Soccer Convention and didn’t have to throw many passes within the course of. Previous Bison’s had been Trey Lance and Carson Wentz.
Additionally see: 2022 NFL Draft Central
Desk: Christian Watson NCAA stats (2018-21)
| 12 months | Faculty | Video games | Catch | Yards | Avg. | TD | Runs | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | NDSU | 7 | 9 | 165 | 18.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | NDSU | 16 | 34 | 732 | 24.3 | 6 | 13 | 162 | 1 |
| 2020 | NDSU | 10 | 18 | 437 | 21.5 | 1 | 21 | 116 | 0 |
| 2021 | NDSU | 12 | 43 | 800 | 18.3 | 7 | 15 | 114 | 1 |
Execs
- Uncommon mixture of dimension and velocity
- Produces as a rusher, receiver and a returner
- Sport-changing playmaker with 20 yards on 32% of his performs
- Elite kick returner – Averaged 25.4 yards on his profession 27 kick returns
- Improved all through 2021
- Glorious physique management
- Fast toes that may defeat press protection at line
- Giant catch radius – wins 50/50 balls
- Homerun velocity on any deep go
- Large enough to run by way of tackles
- Elite stop-and-go acceleration
Cons
- Nonetheless very uncooked – solely 104 profession receptions
- Hasn’t all the time used his dimension to his benefit
- Had issues with drops however improved
- Wants extra work on timing
Fantasy outlook
Watson didn’t have the amount of catches like so many different rookie wideouts which might be anticipated to early picks, however his dimension and velocity, coupled with good showings within the Senior Bowl and on the NFL Mix have him anticipated to go as a late first-round or early second-round decide. That has him obtainable to any staff needing an improve to their receivers, particularly an out of doors receiver.
Watson has the measurables that NFL groups love in a break up finish, however his progress within the NFL will rely vastly on the standard of the offense that he joins. His capability to return kicks could be very more likely to be relied on as a rookie and that may get him onto the sphere whereas his receiving sport develops.
The telling a part of his draft is that if he does go within the second half of the primary spherical, which can point out a staff’s curiosity in a 12 months 1 starter and the higher-rated offenses usually are choosing late in that spherical. Had Watson gone to a extra outstanding school and turned in far increased receptions, he’d be thought-about an excellent earlier decide within the first spherical. However he’s being taken nicely forward of the place his manufacturing degree normally dictates due to his favorable measurables and the truth that he was a grasp of the chunk play every time he did get the ball into his palms.
Chances are high that he gained’t attain his peak for a number of years within the NFL, and even then he might stay extra of a returner and deep-ball specialist. However in the fitting offense, with a prime quarterback, his ceiling might find yourself very excessive.