10 Most Important Packers: #10 Christian Watson

Every team in the NFL has at least 90 players on their roster through the summer.

Before the regular season begins, that will get pared down to 53, as teams churn through the bottom of their roster.

The NFL likes to say every day has a man competing for his job. That's true to some point, but some players are more important than others.

For example, quarterbacks wear red non-contact jerseys. That's just one example of some of the perks of playing one position or reaching a certain stature.

For the next couple of weeks, we're going through the 10 most important players on the team.

The caveat is that these are not necessarily the best players, but someone who the team could ill afford to miss for a significant period of time.

Perhaps that player was a high draft choice that's disappointed to this point of his career. Or maybe it's someone who is simply hard to replace if he's not on the field.

The first of our top-10 list is a wide receiver the Green Bay Packers made a significant investment in just two seasons ago.

Player: Christian Watson, Wide Receiver

Rank: 10th

Progress:

Watson was drafted to be the replacement for Davante Adams. Whether that's fair or not isn't really up for discussion.

Adams is arguably the best receiver in the storied history of the franchise.

That being said, those are the cards that Watson was dealt when the team traded two second-round picks, including the one acquired when the Packers traded Adams to Las Vegas, to trade up to select Watson.

Watson's first play of his career became a meme.

Aaron Rodgers loaded up to throw Watson a deep ball, and it bounced off his hands.

Instead of a positive signature moment, Watson had that play following him until November.

That was his big breakout performance against the Dallas Cowboys where he scored three touchdowns.

Watson went on a tear from there, emerging as Rodgers' go-to receiver in big spots.

He finished the season with one of his best games, a 100-yard performance in a season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions.

Watson's big finish, which included seven touchdowns in four games had people buzzing about the potential connection between Watson and new quarterback Jordan Love.

Instead, Watson had two hamstring injuries that nagged him all season long. Watson believes he and the team have a better understanding of how to manage his hamstrings now.

The team needs him to do that. With all the buzz surrounding the other receivers on the roster, it's Watson who possesses the best combination of size and speed.

He's often referred to as, "The Freak" by his father Tazim Wajid, Wajed on Twitter/X.

The nickname is appropriate as Watson stands over 6'4, and is probably the fastest receiver on the roster.

He's not the consensus for one of the best receivers on the team any longer, but he has the highest ceiling.

Why is He Important:

Watson is important simply because his presence changes the geometry of an opposing defense.

Teams have to account for Watson's speed and ability to make plays down the field.

Mike Pettine once famously said a team will fly to Miami faster than they will drive.

He was referring to big plays getting teams to the Super Bowl when he said that.

Watson is Green Bay's big-play receiver. There is nobody truly like him on the roster, whereas the rest of the receivers on the roster would be missed, but can be replaced.

Potential Replacement:

As it stands right now, if Watson were to go down with an injury, Matt LaFleur would have to look to Bo Melton to replace Watson's speed.

Melton's speed is comparable to Watson's, but he's not a lock to make the roster at this stage.

He had some nice moments for the Packers last season, but Watson certainly would be missed if he were to go down.

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