Welcome to our new feature where we recap a particular player’s journey in the 2022-2023 NFL Fantasy Football Season. This article features preseason expectations, draft expectations, overall season production, and critical moments. We will do this for all 32 teams by highlighting a player per team.
PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS
Christian Watson was drafted in the 2nd round by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft. He came out of North Dakota State University so fans weren’t sure what to expect from him because of the limited coverage. Numbers have shown that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t do well with rookie wide receivers.
DRAFT EXPECTATIONS
Watson’s ADP in fantasy drafts had him at 155.7 or a late-round pick. This was equivalent to the 59th WR taken. Owners were unsure what to do with him as there was news of Aaron Rodgers calling out his young receivers early on. People were higher on Allen Lazard as the projected top WR for the Packers.
OVERALL SEASON PRODUCTION
It was an up-and-down season for Christian Watson as the highest of highs made him look like the Green Bay WR 1 of the future. The lowest of the lows saw him on the sidelines as his snap percentage decreased. Injuries did affect him as he missed three weeks. He remained healthy after Week 7. In half of the games he played, he accounted for less than 10 FP while he had an explosive stretch that shocked everyone. He ended as the 41st WR overall but things are murky in Green Bay as the QB situation is still unclear.
CRITICAL MOMENTS DURING THE SEASON
Week 10 vs Dallas Cowboys
It had been a disappointing season so far for Watson as he hadn’t scored in double digits to start his young career. That all changed in a shocker in Week 10. Against the stout Dallas defense, Christian exploded out of nowhere. He caught four passes for 107 yards and three TDs. His first TD reception was a 58-yard pass from Rodgers to tie it at 7-7. He scored another on a 39-yard pass with 13 mins left in the fourth quarter. His last TD was a seven-yard catch to tie the game at 28. His potential was on full display here. He ended the game with 32.70 FP.
Week 12 vs Philadelphia Eagles
After two straight great games for Watson, many were on board as Green Bay took on Philadelphia. The Eagles also had no answer for the rookie WR. Watson made it a game when he caught a 63-yard TD pass from Jordan Love with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Christian ended the game with four catches for a season-high 110 yards and a TD.
Week 13 vs Chicago Bears
His last great game in this four-game stretch pitted him against the Chicago Bears. What made this game special was him on the run as he scored a 46-yard rushing TD. Maybe in the future, he can have more plays like this designed for him, especially with his size. Fantasy owners were pleased by his performance.
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