The Green Bay Packers drafted 11 new players. | Dave Adamson/Unsplash
The Green Bay Packers drafted 11 new players. | Dave Adamson/Unsplash
The Green Bay Packers went above and beyond in addressing one of their most pressing needs during the recent NFL draft.
The team was in desperate need of new receiver options for MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers following the offseason departure of All-Pro wideout Davante Adams. The Packers early on grabbed speedsters Christian Watson from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and Romeo Doubs from Nevada among their 11 draft selections, according to Packers Wire.
In the first round, Green Bay tabbed Georgia teammates Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt to bolster the defense.
Watson had no reservations about sharing his feelings as a new team member.
“First morning as a Green Bay Packer and I’ve gotta say, it feels pretty damn good!” Watson said on Twitter.
Coach Matt LaFleur had high praise for both Watson and Doubs; he said he expects the two to quickly pick up where Adams and departed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling left off.
Both speedsters timed under 4.5 seconds in the 40. Watson, who boasted an average of 20 yards per catch over his NDSU career, is expected to instantly become the team’s deep threat, with Doubs (12 deep catches last season for 44 yards) not far behind.
“I think we’ve certainly added some competition,” Brian Gutekunst, the Packers’ general manager, told SI.com. “I think that was really important. Not the only position we added a lot of competition, but I think we’re certainly very much of [the] belief that competition’s going to bring out the best and the cream’s going to rise, and that’s something that we needed to do and I think we accomplished that.”
The Packers moved up in the second round to get Watson, and top team brass seem convinced it’s just what the offense ordered.
“He’s a big, fast, physical receiver,” Gutekunst said, as reported by Packers Wire. “His athletic traits are off the charts.”
Later, in the seventh round, the Packers added Samori Toure, who made a name for himself creating big plays as a vertical threat at Montana and then led the Big Ten in yards per catch in 2021.
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