New Green Bay second-round draft pick Christian Watson pronounces himself ready for battle.
“Nothing is given, everything is earned,” Watson recently tweeted. “Regardless if I was drafted No. 1 or 7th round, I’m going to have to earn the spot that I want day in and day out.”
With the Packers having filled 89 of their allotted 90 roster spots, Watson insists he’s wasted little time getting started, indicating he’s already spoken with MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Overall, AcmePackingCompany reports the team recently moved to sign has eight of their draft picks over a one-week period and are set to host a mini camp for a large roster of rookies for combined training, assessing, where that one final roster could be in play.
In all, 51 players are slated to attend the camp, including11 draft picks, 14 free agents, 8 players on the roster but eligible for the camp and 18 tryout players.
With the Packers having jumped at the chance to take the 6-foot-4, 208-pound speedster out of North Dakota State with the 34th overall pick in the draft, Watson admits he already feels a sense of responsibility. Some in the Packers front office have already cast Watson as a key face in the push to replace veteran wideouts Davante Adams and Marquez Vales-Scantling, both of whom departed over the offseason.
With Watson set to join a receiving corps that includes veterans Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins and fellow rookies Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure, Watson said Rodgers called to welcome him to the fold.
“It went well,” he said to Watson of the conversation. “He wanted to make sure that I knew that he was looking out and that when he stepped in the building that it was time to work.”
Over his career at North Dakota State, Watson earned the reputation of a big-play machine, snaring 105 passes for 2,140 yards (20.4 yards per reception) and 14 touchdowns in 52 games.
With Rodgers now on his side, Watson said he’s already eyeing the possibilities.
With the thought of now teaming with Rodgers, Watson
“You’re open every single play,” he added. “Regardless of who’s on you, Aaron’s able to put it anywhere. Regardless of what you’re doing, you’re going to be open. You just have to go out there and make a play when he puts his trust in you.”
