Scouting Reports:
Walter football: https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2022cwatson.php
2022 NFL draft: Christian Watson scouting report: https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/christian-watson-scouting-report-2022-nfl-draft-north-dakota-state-bison-football/
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/christian-watson
Biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft (Christian Watson | WR | North Dakota State: It’s rare to find a wide receiver prospect with Watson’s combination of size and speed. At 6-4, 205 pounds, Watson ran a sub-4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, giving league decision-makers lofty dreams of explosive plays every time Watson touches the ball. The caveat? He’s inconsistent when it comes to actually catching the ball, and his route-running still needs some work. The potential is off the charts with Watson, but it might take time and the right situation for him to realize it.) (4-27-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-boom-bust-prospects-christian-watson-trevor-penning-malik-willis-travon-walker/
NFL Draft bust candidates: Malik Willis, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Drake London and the riskiest picks in 2022 (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson, like Penning, will be dealing with a jump in competition when he comes to the NFL. He played at North Dakota State and was a star there, averaging 20.5 yards per catch during his college career and recording 800 receiving yards as a senior. That said, Watson needs to work on his route running to ensure that he will make a bigger impact at the NFL level. Currently, he's best operating as a deep speed threat thanks to his 4.36 speed and 6-4, 208-pound size. He can continue to do that at the NFL level, but he needs to avoid becoming a one-dimensional field stretcher; he needs to work on his short to intermediate route running. In short, Watson is raw. He has the traits needed to become a quality NFL player, but he needs to put it all together. If he does, he could become a true do-it-all weapon. If not, then he may end up being more of a Marquez Valdes-Scantling type as an inconsistent deep threat. If a team uses a first-round pick on Watson, they'll be hoping to get the former version of Watson. It is a risk, however, and could take some time to pan out.) (4-27-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-busts-2022-malik-willis-kayvon-thibodeaux-drake-london/lctod3kaykhp461sz9pgkyjp
NFL Draft Bust Watch: Buyer beware with these five polarizing draft prospects (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Another physically gifted athlete who has some real questions about how his game will project to the NFL. Christian Watson‘s athleticism is indisputable. He is 6-4, runs a sub-4.4 40, and can jump out of the gym. But that alone isn’t enough. Watson needs some significant technique development to compete on the pro level. If he lands on a team without a strong receivers coach, the bust odds go way up.) (4-26-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-bust-watch-buyer-beware-with-these-five-polarizing-draft-prospects/
2022 NFL Draft: PFF Big Board vs. Media Consensus Board (WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE (PFF Rank: 75, Consensus Rank: 47): Watson is nothing short of an elite athlete for the position, but he comes with worries about his play strength and ball skills. He’s a slightly built 6-foot-4, 208 pounds and did not even physically manhandle corners in the FCS. Watson also dropped 13.3% of his career catchable targets, which won’t do him any favors seeing the field early in his career.) (4-26-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-pff-big-board-media-consensus-board
TWENTYMAN: 10 prospects who make sense for Lions in first round (7. Wide receiver Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Watson has an intriguing combination of size (6-4, 208) and speed (4.36 40-yard dash). He was one of the most explosive receivers in FCS football the past four seasons. He got an invite the Senior Bowl this offseason to play against better competition, and he was arguably the top receiver down in Mobile for the week. Watson caught 43 passes for 801 yards (18.6 average) with seven touchdowns in 12 games this past season in a run-heavy offense. Between receptions, runs and kick returns, 32 percent of Watson's career touches gained 20-plus yards. He scored four touchdowns of 65-plus yards as a senior in 2021. Watson's height ranks in the 90th percentile for wide receivers in the NFL, while his 40-yard dash finished in the 92nd percentile and his broad jump in the 98th percentile.) (4-26-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-prospects-who-make-sense-for-lions-hutchinson-johnson-thibodeaux
NFL Draft sleepers: The best FCS & small-school players you should know in 2022 (2. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Two FCS players may go in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Penning is one, and Watson is the other. Watson was a playmaker during his time at North Dakota State. He averaged a whopping 20.5 yards per catch during his college career and totaled a career-high 800 yards on 43 catches during his senior season. He did all of that — and scored seven touchdowns — despite playing in just eight games and dealing with inconsistent quarterback play. Watson has steadily risen during the pre-draft process, as his measurables have impressed teams along with his tape. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at 6-4, 208 pounds during the 2022 NFL Combine. He has all the tools teams look for in a receiver, and if he can stay healthy, he could prove to be a great value pick in the latter half of the first round.) (4-24-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-sleepers-2022-fcs-players/t9c03l04cfcavepyid3w1zuj
Perfect Draft Fits for Lions (Christian Watson, North Dakota State: A long, lanky wideout from the FCS ranks, Watson has an impressive blend of size and speed. He impressed at the NFL scouting combine, with his 4.36 40-yard dash and 38.5-inch vertical. He’s risen to the ranks of a projected first-rounder, thanks to this ability (although he has experienced issues with drops in the past). There’s no question about his physical tools, but he may need some time to develop. The Lions are growing their depth at receiver, which may allow this rookie to gain some experience without the pressure of being a top option.) (4-22-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/perfect-draft-fits-for-lions
NFL Draft prospects 2022: The top 10 wide receivers (8. Christian Watson, North Dakota State (6-4, 208 pounds): Watson showed he was an incredible athlete at the Combine. Even if he's still considered raw, he should have greater appeal because of the size-speed upside and strong work ethic. He played in a dynamic offense and has an intriguing No. 1-style frame to make him a hot second-round sleeper.) (4-22-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-2022-prospects-wide-receivers-rankings/eagoszlyovt8bckaixaqd2qz
2022 NFL Draft: Sam Howell, Breece Hall among 'mock busters' (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Until recently, receivers were viewed as one of the riskiest positions to select in the first round, with more picks winding up as colossal busts than difference-makers. However, NFL teams could be emboldened by the success of last year’s rookie class, which saw Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith add immediate juice to their teams. As such, along with edge rushers and tackles, I expect receivers to dominate the 2022 first round, with at least a handful coming off the board. This class is loaded with speedsters and features several receivers with prototypical size. Few offer a better combination of both than the 6-foot-5, 208-pound Watson, who was easily the most impressive receiver at the Senior Bowl and dominated the combine as well. Rather than gush about his workout in Indianapolis, though, it's worth reflecting on the kind of routes Watson won with in Mobile (and Fargo). The lightning quickness in the clip below shows his ability to create separation on short to intermediate throws. He starred down the field as well, simply running by cornerbacks on vertical routes and using his height, body control, long arms (32¾") and sticky hands to catch everything in his zip code. Watson is going to be a star.) (4-21-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2022-nfl-draft-sam-howell-breece-hall-among-mock-busters
Meet the Prospect: Christian Watson (4-15-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/meet-the-prospect-christian-watson
NFL Mock Draft Stock Watch: Which players are rising and falling in experts' eyes in 2022? (The players who've risen into first round consideration (3) - Watson was only featured in one of the seven first round mocks in mid-March. He’s now a top-30 pick in four of them, thanks in large part to a Combine where he ran a 4.34-second 40 on a 6’4 frame.) (4-14-22): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-mock-draft-stock-watch-players-rising-falling
NFL Draft News and Rumors: Team visits heat up for Garrett Wilson, Charleston Rambo, and Christian Watson (Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Christian Watson is one of the fastest-rising receivers in the draft, thanks in large part to his Senior Bowl and Combine performances. Watson was the most consistent pass catcher during three days of practice in Mobile. In Indianapolis, he ran the 40 in 4.34 seconds while hitting 38.5″ in the vertical jump and 11’4″ in the broad jump, all at 6’4″. As it stands now, no team I’ve spoken with has a first-round grade on the North Dakota State product. Rather it seems everyone has Watson as a mid-second-round choice. His visit list has been extensive and includes the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs.) (4-14-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-news-and-rumors-team-visits-heat-up-for-garrett-wilson-charleston-rambo-christian-watson/
2022 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings: Another stacked class of pass catching talent (8. Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Watson is a bundle of potential whose production with the Bison failed to make the most of the extreme athleticism he displayed at the Combine. He’s 6-foot-5 and has 4.3-second 40 speed and some of the best measureables in his class. But instead of roasting FCS competition for an always-stacked North Dakota State team, he was merely “good.” Watson’s 43 catches, 800 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns in 2021 were all career highs. Still, he left Fargo on a high note and has tremendous unrefined potential as a deep threat who could also use his size to create space in the red zone. Watson has always been a playmaker, albeit against smaller school competition. He’ll have to prove he can be more than just a straight-line burner to live up to a Day 1 selection.) (4-13-22): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-2022-wide-receiver-rankings-garrett-wilson-drake-london
NFL Draft News and Rumors: Travon Walker, Kyle Hamilton, and others (While he’s been mocked in the top 32 by some, no team I’ve spoken with has given Christian Watson of North Dakota State a first-round grade. Most believe he belongs in the middle of Round 2. Some teams have Skyy Moore of Western Michigan graded higher than Watson.) (4-13-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-news-and-rumors-travon-walker-kyle-hamilton-and-others/
2022 NFL Draft preview: 5 wide receivers that could interest the Lions (4. Christian Watson, North Dakota State (6-4, 208, 4.36 40-yard dash.): Watson was by far the best receiver at the Senior Bowl this offseason, which was big for him coming from North Dakota State, where he led the Bison with 43 receptions for 801 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 18.6 yards per reception. Watson has a terrific combination of size, speed and smooth route-running ability. He's got instant impact written all over him at the NFL level.) (4-12-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-preview-5-wide-receivers-lions-london-wilson-williams
Which 2022 NFL Draft prospects could sneak into the first round? (WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE - 2021 grade: 87.9 (16th out of 1006 WRs): Watson has seen the biggest meteoric rise of any prospect in this year’s class after a strong Senior Bowl and otherworldly NFL Scouting Combine and pro day. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Watson doesn’t rank below the 50th percentile in any testing metric. His 4.36-second 40-yard dash (92nd percentile), 1.46-second 10-yard split (99th percentile) and 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump (99th percentile) are most impressive. Watson was viewed as maybe a Day 3 prospect heading into the 2021 season. Now he’s a potential first-rounder. Scout’s take: “He has a bundle of rare traits. His routes and hands aren’t super consistent or polished yet but he has the ability to be a game wrecker if he can tie it all together. I like how he returned kicks at his height, and he blocks his ass off, too. He’s interesting.”) (4-12-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-sneak-first-round
2022 NFL Draft: Buyer beware for these five prospects (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Few all-time combine performances have been as impressive as Watson's. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, the Tampa native ran a 4.36 seconds 40-yard dash while jumping 38.5 inches vertically and 136 inches broadly. In an offense that passed the ball on just 27.7% of plays, Watson has a lot to learn from a route tree standpoint. He must improve in his route running. Watson is a natural athlete who lacks stiffness so there is reason to believe he can elevate his game. In an ideal scenario, he would walk into a role as a No. 2 wide receiver with the allowance to eventually become the top boundary option.) (4-12-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-buyer-beware-prospects-malik-willis-derek-stingley-jr-among-five-who-bring-concerns/
2022 NFL Draft: 10 best small-school gems (WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE: At 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, Watson starred at the scouting combine with numbers that were impossible to ignore. The Bisons’ leading receiver ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, accomplished a 38-inch vertical jump and completed an 11-foot-4 broad jump to solidify his top-50 draft status. On the field, Watson utilized his 62 targets in a run-dominant offense to his advantage. The redshirt senior accumulated an 89.5 receiving grade during a 2021 season that saw personal highs in catches (42), receiving yards (801) and receiving touchdowns (seven). Despite the lack of collegiate pass-catching volume, there’s a strong belief that Watson will thrive as an NFL deep threat.) (4-11-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-10-best-small-school-gems
Brooks: Five most difficult draft prospects to evaluate (Christian Watson
North Dakota State · WR: If you have not been paying close attention to the draft stock market, you might not be familiar with the small-school standout who is shooting up the charts after putting together a string of impressive postseason performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. Watson has garnered plenty of interest among scouts looking for big-play weapons with the potential to score from anywhere on the field. With 57 plays of 20-plus yards on 180 touches (receptions, rushes or returns), the former Bison standout electrified the FCS level. But some scouts question whether his success will translate in the NFL, despite the fact that he torched competitors at the premier college all-star game with a combination of size (6-4, 208 pounds), speed (4.36-second 40 time in Indy) and explosiveness (11-foot-4 broad jump). Considering how Cooper Kupp has emerged from the small-school ranks to become the NFL's 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, the concerns regarding Watson's performance and production at a lower level should not prevent evaluators from appreciating his game and impact potential.) (4-8-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/five-most-difficult-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-to-evaluate-three-quarterbacks-in-m
Five prospects who should get Round 1 consideration (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson was one of the top overall performers at the combine. He ran a 4.36 seconds 40-yard dash in addition to jumping 48.5 inches vertically and 136 inches broadly. The wide receiver has extraordinary size, big hands and long arms. The problem is that the film and history of production do not match. Watson comes from an offense that was run-heavy and that created limited route tree exposure. The Florida native does a good job of tracking the ball downfield and is a problem for defenders in space. He displays good body control, burst and flexibility. Watson has all of the tools to become a top boundary receiver but just needs some time and coaching. It would be ideal for him to walk into a situation with an established outside receiver that can allow Watson to progress at his own pace.) (4-8-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-georgia-duo-among-prospects-who-will-receive-late-first-round-consideration/
2022 NFL Draft: Wide receiver prospect superlatives (FREAKIEST ATHLETE: CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE - What Watson did in Indianapolis was nothing short of an all-time performance. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, jumped 38.5 inches in the vertical and 11-foot, 4 inches in the broad jump. He capped it off at his pro day with 18 reps on the bench, a 4.19-second shuttle and a 6.96-second three-cone. Those numbers are usually reserved for your undersized receivers, not guys with near prototype size.) (4-8-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospect-superlatives
Monson: 2022 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings (10. CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE: Few players are riding the hype wave that Christian Watson is after posting some incredible workout numbers between the Combine and his pro-day, but his tape shows a player with a lot of work still to do. There’s a good argument that potential alone should have him drafted much higher than this, because he is one of the few receivers in this draft with elite X-receiver capabilities from a tools standpoint. If that’s the role a team covets, they will rank Watson higher than several receivers on this list, and justifiably so. Watson caught just 30% of contested targets in his college career against some very questionable competition. He is a raw but enticing prospect.) (4-8-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings-monson
2022 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 FCS prospects (1. WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON: Watson has been one of the pre-draft process' biggest winners thanks to impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine. In fact, one Power Five head coach told PFF that the 6-foot-4, 208-pounder was the best wideout in attendance at the Senior Bowl, and he followed that up with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, 1.46-second 10-yard split, 39-inch vertical and 11-foot-4 broad jump at the scouting combine. For a man his size, those times and measurements are almost hard to believe. The North Dakota State product was a part of a run-heavy offense, but he still managed an 89.5 receiving grade and an astounding 4.33 yards per route run in 2021. He’s still a relatively raw player, but has shown improvement in all areas, including with his ball skills, route running and ability to get off press. With Watson’s physical gifts, NFL teams have to be excited about his potential. He has the potential to develop into a true “X” receiver but can be used in creative ways from the get-go — much like the San Francisco 49ers do with Deebo Samuel. Watson is that dynamic.) (4-8-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-top-fcs-prospect-rankings
2022 NFL draft: The top 16 receivers (10
Christian Watson, North Dakota State (Height: 6’4″ Weight: 208, 40-Yard Dash: 4.36, Vertical Jump: 38.5 inches, Broad Jump: 11’4″): Bio: Coming out of Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Christian Watson did not have a ton of schools lining up for his as a recruit. 247Sports graded him as a two-star recruit, and Watson chose to play at North Dakota State. As a senior at Henry B. Plant, Watson caught 23 passes for 393 yards and eight touchdowns. After taking a redshirt season in 2017, Watson saw limited action for the Bison in 2018, as he caught nine passes for 165 yards. During his redshirt sophomore season in 2019, Watson took on more of a role, catching 34 passes for 732 yards and six touchdowns, and earned a Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection. After catching 19 passes for 442 yards and a touchdown in the 2020 season, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19, Watson returned to campus in the fall for his senior campaign. He caught 43 passes for 801 yards and seven touchdowns, earning his second-straight First-Team All-MVFC selection. Stat to Know: Watson comes from a football family. His father, Tazim Wajid Wajed was a defensive back for five years in the NFL. His brother played linebacker at both Illinois and Maryland before playing in the XFL, and his uncle played at Marshall. Strengths: Watson is another member of this draft class who looks like a prototypical X receiver at the next level. He has the ideal size, frame and speed to play in that role, and is a dangerous weapon on routes that focus on the vertical parts of the playbook. On this play, Watson runs the slant-and-go to perfection, getting over the top for a touchdown. Watson is also comfortable working over the middle, as he does on this play. Running a dig route from the left side of the field, you see him push vertically to stress the defender, before working across the field and fighting to stay in the quarterback’s field of vision. Watson is also a great fit for vertical passing games, as he can stack defenders with confidence and tracks the football well over his shoulder. Watson was also impressive at the catch point, as he can win in contested-catch situations and has the confidence in his hands to make catches while extending his arms away from his frame. Weaknesses: The first question might be the level of competition he faced playing on Saturdays. This is why the Senior Bowl was a huge week for him, as he demonstrated that the traits he showcased at NDSU were there for him against higher levels of competition. Watson is not as sudden as other receivers in this class, and sometimes needs a few more steps to change directions or get up to speed. That, coupled with what he does well, might limit him to more downfield offensive systems. Conclusion: We have talked for years about how players that can win on the outside in that X receiver role are more attractive than options who need the benefit of a two-way go working from the slot. Watson’s experience playing on the outside and seeing press-aligned defenders, even at the FCS level, gives him the ability to play as an X at the next level. That experience, coupled with what he did down in Mobile, bodes well for his NFL career. Comparison: Lance Zierlein mentioned Dontrelle Inman as a comparison, and that is accurate in my mind.) (4-6-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-drake-london-chris-olave-jameson-williams/
2022 NFL Draft Stock - Post-Combine IV (Up - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: It has become more common to see projections of Watson becoming a late first-round pick in 2022 NFL Draft, and the recent wide receiver trades will only help Watson to go on the opening night of the draft. With Green Bay's trade of Davante Adams and Kansas City's trade of Tyreek Hill, both teams have two first-round picks in the 20s and huge holes at receiver due to the loss of those playmakers. Watson has deep speed to go along with height. In the 20s, he has a lot of potential landing spots with the Patriots, Packers (twice), Cardinals, Chiefs (twice) and Lions. Watson looks like he has a good chance of going on Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft.) (4-5-22): https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_29.php
Lions 2022 NFL draft: A wide receiver for every round (Third round: Christian Watson, North Dakota State: The Lions got to see Watson up close and personal during Senior Bowl week, where the Bison standout really raised his profile. A superb athlete, Watson offers a tantalizing mix of size, speed and strength. He’s also an exceptional blocker coming from the run-oriented NDSU program, an FCS powerhouse. The game film doesn’t yet match the top-40 overall hype for Watson. His route-running remains pretty basic, and Watson struggled mightily with drops over the course of his college career: 16 drops on just 120 targets per Pro Football Focus. By way of comparison, that’s quite a bit worse than Eric Ebron’s worst season in Detroit (nine drops on 91 targets in 2016). If he learns to cleanly track and catch the ball, Watson can be a star.) (3-29-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/detroit-lions-2022-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospect-for-every-round/
Treash: Top five prospects at every position in the 2022 NFL Draft (Watson has been one of the biggest risers in the past few months. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound wideout earned an 89.5 receiving grade while generating an astounding 4.33 yards per route run playing in a run-heavy Bison offense last year. He followed that up with one of the best Senior Bowl showings at the position, finishing in the top three in PFF grade during one-on-ones. Watson caught the attention of coaches, scouts and executives at the event and generated even more hype with an elite combine performance. Those testing times and measurements at his size are unbelievable. Watson’s all-around athleticism paired with his size, ability to get off press and continued ball skills improvement should have NFL teams excited about his potential. He can be a true X and also used in creative ways, like the San Francisco 49ers do with Deebo Samuel.) (3-29-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-five-players-every-position-2022-nfl-draft-treash
2022 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 17 WRs in this year’s class (Tier 2 - Christian Watson (North Dakota State), 6-foot-4, 208 pounds: No one is having a better offseason than Christian Watson who has seen his draft stock go from late Day 2-early Day 3 to a potential first-round pick. After a very impressive Senior Bowl week and testing out of this world at the NFL Combine, it makes a lot of sense, and I’m starting to believe there is a chance that he goes before the Lions even have a chance to select him at 32. Watson didn’t put up the production you’d hope to see from a player in the FCS, but he has the elite tools and athleticism that teams are going to want to take a swing on early. If I’m the Lions and Watson is available at 32 or 34, it’s an easy choice for me. There aren’t many players I’d want over him. Watson can fill an “X” or “Z” role for the Lions and provide flexibility for himself and others. Round grade: 1st-2nd round) (3-17-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/3/17/22961513/2022-nfl-draft-ranking-top-wide-receivers-tiers
2022 NFL Draft Stock - Post-Combine (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: The Tampa, Florida native Watson was a good player for the Bison, but he set his draft stock on fire with an excellent Senior Bowl. To continue an excellent postseason, Watson had a superb combine, including an electric time 40 of 4.36 seconds and good numbers in the jumps. In Mobile, the 6-foot-4, 211-pounder showed good speed and run-after-the-catch ability to go along with mismatch size. Watson caught 43 passes in 2021 for 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown with 114 yards on 15 carries. Watson showed big-play ability in 2020 - 24.3 yards per catch - and 2019 - 21.5 yards per catch. After his impressive week in Mobile and combine showing in Indianapolis, Watson looks like a late first-round or early second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.) (3-15-22): https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_26.php
2022 NFL Draft: Top small-school prospects (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
CBS Sports prospect rank: 53 | Position rank: 8: Six-foot-four and 208 pounds with 4.36 speed will get the NFL's attention, regardless of what division your football program is in. Watson is not only fast and explosive -- he had a ridiculous 11-4 broad jump -- he's a glider with the ball in his hands, not robotic or choppy when running. He wasn't incredibly productive in college, but North Dakota State is a run-first program. He has all the makings of being a better professional than he was at the FCS level given his smooth athleticism, size, and speed. Watson does need to land with a creative offensive coordinator because he's not a developed route-runner and doesn't possesses the natural skills needed to elude NFL defensive backs in space. On screens, go balls, posts, end-arounds, and jet sweeps, he can be a serious weapon. He's likely to land in the second round.) (3-10-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-trevor-penning-headlines-five-small-school-prospects-who-could-land-in-first-three-rounds/
10 players who impressed at 2022 NFL Scouting Combine (2. WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: His performance was so good it might have pushed him into the late first-round conversation. My favorite receiver at the Senior Bowl, Watson measured in at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, and ran the 40 in 4.36 seconds (6th best among receivers) to go with a 38.5-inch vertical (6th) and an amazing 11'4" broad jump (1st). Teams looking for size and a deep threat at receiver should take a close look at Watson.) (3-8-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-players-who-impressed-at-2022-nfl-scouting-combine-davis-watson-woolen
NFL Combine 2022: Biggest winners and losers at every position (Winner: CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE - A 4.36-second 40. A 38.5-inch vertical. An 11-foot-4 broad jump. All at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds.
Those are elite, elite numbers for a bigger wide receiver. After his Senior Bowl performance, it’s hard to think of someone who has had a better pre-draft showing.) (3-8-22): https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-combine-2022-biggest-winners-and-losers-at-every-position
2022 NFL Combine: Chris Olave, Malik Willis, Breece Hall top list of winners (Winner: North Dakota State WR Christian Watson and Kalon Barnes: Watson ran 4.36 in the 40, broad jumped 11-foot-4 and has the kind of hand size — 10.25 inches — that reminds me of the catcher's mitt Clint Courtney used to catch knuckle balls from Hoyt Wilhelm. Watson could be NDSU’s third first-round selection since 2016. The Bison could also become the second FCS program with three first-round picks in a 10-year span. (Jackson state had Lester Odom in '93 and Sylvester Morris and Rashard Anderson in 2000.)) (3-8-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2022-nfl-combine-chris-olave-malik-willis-breece-hall-top-list-of-winners
The leader for the Detroit Lions at No. 2, other observations coming out of 2022 NFL combine (Another big X-receiver to watch is North Dakota State’s Christian Watson, who was the best receiver at the Senior Bowl, then hopped a flight to Indianapolis and blew out the combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, which was sixth fastest among receivers, despite this being the fastest group of receivers in combine history. And no one at any position could match his 136 inches in the broad jump. Here’s the thing: Watson did all that at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds. Those are incredible numbers for a big guy. I guarantee you there are 32 NFL buildings that are going to be crushing North Dakota State film, trying to understand how a guy like this ends up at a place like that, which hasn’t produced an NFL receiver since 1985. I’m not sure he makes it out of the first round. I’m not sure the Lions would let him.) (3-7-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/03/2022-nfl-combine-the-leader-for-the-second-overall-pick-more-observations-about-the-detroit-lions.html
2022 NFL Scouting Combine Winners and Losers by the Numbers: Offensive Positions (Christian Watson finished second in WAR percentile and first in draft position, making him a name to watch as an early Day 2 sleeper, as he hit all the speed, size and jumping marks associated with NFL success.) (3-7-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-scouting-combine-winners-losers-offense
2022 NFL Draft: How the combine will impact draft boards (5. NDSU’s Christian Watson among a trio of receivers whose workouts boosted their stock: There were some staggering times turned in by wide receivers in the 40-yard dash this year, but with prior speed demons flaming out in the NFL in recent years, teams are as wary of one-trick track stars at this position as at any other in the game. Make no mistake: This year’s spindly speedsters such as Baylor’s Thornton (6-foot-2, 181 pounds), Memphis’ Calvin Austin III (5-foot-8, 170) and SMU’s Danny Gray (six-foot, 186) assured themselves of being drafted by posting blistering 40-yard dash times in the 4.2s on the watches of some of the scouts in the stands, but it was big-bodied wideouts such as Watson (6-foot-4, 208), Cincinnati's Alec Pierce (6-foot-3, 211) and Tennessee’s Velus Jones Jr. (6-foot, 204) who helped their causes even more with times in the 4.3s. It isn’t just that these are bigger men moving that fast, which catches the attention of scouts. It’s also that all three worked out exceptionally well after turning heads at the Senior Bowl. Watson, in particular, has to be included on any list of the biggest postseason risers so far. Erasing any doubt that his success at North Dakota State was due to poor competition, he caught everything in his zip code in Mobile, showing terrific concentration and body control to haul in some ugly tosses from this year’s mediocre quarterback crop and led all participants with an 11-foot-4 broad jump. Of course, given how often North Dakota State churns out quality NFL prospects, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised at all.) (3-7-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2022-nfl-draft-how-the-combine-will-impact-draft-boards
NFL Draft prospects 2022: Biggest risers, fallers from every position after NFL Combine (Riser: Christian Watson, North Dakota State (6-4, 208 pounds) - Among later-round prospects, Watson had an electric Combine with an incredible 4.36 40 for his size, along with his 38.5-inch vertical jump and a 11-foot 4-inch broad jump. With some bigger receivers such as USC's Drake London not lighting it up, Watson's size and speed combination should be a massive boost to his FCS resume.) (3-7-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-combine-stock-watch-risers-fallers-2022-nfl-draft/amedc2vzhlwtmd63swg6kuhk
NFL Combine winners and losers: Malik Willis, Jordan Davis impress ahead of 2022 NFL Draft (Winners: Tyquan Thornton and Christian Watson - Thornton, a receiver from Baylor, ran the fastest 40 on Thursday with a 4.28. The unofficial time was 4.21, which would have broken the record of 4.22 set by John Ross. Ross used that time to become a first-round pick with Cincinnati, and he has struggled with 11 TD catches in five NFL seasons. Thornton had a breakout season with Baylor with 62 catches for 948 yards and 10 TDs, and that 40 time could vault him into at least the second round. North Dakota State's Christian Watson (6-4, 208) ran a 4.36 with a 11-4 in the broad jump, which was the best among all receivers. The curiosity factor will be high in Watson, who averaged 20.5 yards per catch for his career with the Bison.) (3-7-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-combine-winners-losers-2022-draft/gw36f22v50vucmqdiaautc2w
Combine sleepers who shined: Are they good prospects? (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State - Notable workout figures: 4.36 in the 40, broad jump of 11-4. Is he good?: Yes, in the right role. New projected round range: Round 2. This is going to be unpopular, because it feels like many people really like Watson. Is he a gazelle in the open field? Absolutely. He looks every bit of someone capable of jumping over 11 feet from a standstill. And there's deceptive long speed to his game due in part his 6-4 height. After the catch, there's minimal wiggle to his game, and he's not a receiver ready to absorb contact without falling to the turf. I'm not sure he'll be able to routinely get open at the intermediate level either, at least initially in the NFL. His hands are slightly concerning too. If he joins an offense that can scheme him open frequently, gets him the ball on end-arounds and jet sweeps, he can be a dynamic player. The athletic hype doesn't quite match the player on this one.) (3-7-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-combine-sleepers-who-shined-these-10-stepped-up-but-are-they-actually-good-prospects-heres-a-look/
2022 NFL combine winners and losers: Ridder, Dawgs rise (Winners - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson stands at 6-4, 208 pounds so he opened a lot of eyes when he ran a 4.36 seconds 40-yard dash. His athleticism continued to shine through with a 38.5 inch vertical jump and a 133 inch broad jump. ) (3-7-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-combine-winners-and-losers-cincinnati-qb-desmond-ridder-crowd-of-georgia-players-among-risers/
Biggest winners from the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine (WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Watson already had plenty of buzz coming off an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, but he blew that out of the water with his combine performance. After measuring in at 6-4 and 208 pounds, Watson ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, to go along with big numbers in the broad and vertical jumps. Once considered a mid-round sleeper, Watson could be knocking on the door of the first round after this outing.) (3-7-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-combine-winners-malik-willis-jordan-davis-tariq-woolen-travon-walker-christian-watson-breece-hall/
Winners and workers from the 2022 NFL scouting combine (Winner: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State - In what is shaping up to be a deep wide receiver class, one of the players who is enjoying a tremendous pre-draft process is North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson. Watson, who caught 43 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns for a Bison offense that relied heavily on the running game, started to generate buzz down in Mobile during Senior Bowl week. But his performance in Indianapolis was one for the ages, as he posted one of the best workouts from a wide receiver in recent history: Just how high Watson rises in the draft remains to be seen, but given that he was drawing comparisons to Deebo Samuel before Indianapolis, thanks to how the Bison involved him in their offense, this Combine performance will only work to boost his stock higher. Watson entered the week as a Day Two prospect, but expect him to start appearing in the first round of many mock drafts.) (3-7-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-combine-jordan-davis-malik-willis/
10 2022 NFL Draft Crushes (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Originally, I believed the Lions could steal this small-school wide receiver late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the draft. After his combine performance, I think even this will be difficult. Watson, who hails from FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, ran a blazing 4.36 40, and put together strong performances in both the vertical and broad jumps. Detroit needs to add a wide receiver, and this 6-foot-4 powerhouse may be the answer. He had 43 catches for 801 yard in his final season with the Bison, and could easily end up as a prized wideout on a good team. With his mix of size and speed, I believe Watson will become a very good NFL receiver as he develops. There are still some technical things he needs to improve upon when it comes to route running, but his combine performance showed that he is capable of being special.) (3-6-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/ten-2022-nfl-draft-crushes#gid=ci029b7942d0002436&pid=usatsi_17600906_168388382_lowres
Roundtable: What Lions Can Learn from 2022 Combine (3. Share one draft crush you have developed on offense and one you've developed on defense. Chirco: On offense, I'm going to go with North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson. He put on a show at the combine, most notably running a blazing-fast 4.36 40-yard dash. He's also got the prototypical frame -- at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds -- to be a dominant wideout on the outside and a perfect complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who does his best work over the middle.) (3-6-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/roundtable-what-lions-can-learn-from-2022-combine
2022 NFL Scouting Combine: Risers and fallers following quarterback, wide receiver and tight end drills (Risers - Christian Watson, North Dakota State (40-yard dash: 4.36 seconds, Vertical jump: 38.5 inches, Broad jump: 11-foot- 4): For a 6-foot-4, 208-pound receiver, Watson's combine was truly one of the best of all time. While he didn’t do any change-of-direction drills, he was elite during the explosive drills. Between a scintillating Senior Bowl and an excellent combine, Watson has easily had one of the best pre-draft processes of any prospect.) (3-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-nfl-scouting-combine-risers-fallers-quarterbacks-wide-receivers-tight-ends-2022
2022 NFL Scouting Combine: NDSU WR Christian Watson a top-50 lock in 2022 NFL Draft after combine performance (3-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-scouting-combine-ndsu-wr-christian-watson-a-top-50-lock-in-2022-nfl-draft-after-combine-performance
NFL Combine 2022: Tyquan Thornton, Christian Watson among 5 wide receivers who improved their draft stock (Christian Watson, North Dakota State - If you’re a draft person, you were either trying to hype Christian Watson up or pour cold water on the buzz ahead of the NFL Combine. There was no middle ground. In the end, the Watson truthers reigned supreme — because the North Dakota State playmaker had an absolutely stellar day at the NFL Combine. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ended up settling at 9.98. Watson measured in at 6’4″, 208 pounds, with 10-inch hands and arms over 32 inches. That size is already impressive, but his testing blew it out of the water. Watson put up absurd explosiveness numbers, including a 38.5-inch vertical and a 136-inch broad jump (seventh-best all-time among Combine WRs). To top it off, Watson ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. It was simply a continuation of Watson’s electric Senior Bowl showing, but his stock continues to skyrocket.) (3-4-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-combine-2022-5-wide-receivers-who-improved-their-draft-stock/
Detroit Lions get up-close look at the fastest group of receivers in NFL combine history (Perhaps most impressive of all came just moments later, as North Dakota State’s Christian Watson took his marks with the smell of jet fuel still wafting through the stadium, then ripped off a time of 4.36 seconds. In the fastest combine in NFL history for receivers, that time ranked sixth best. Christian Watson, by the way, is 6-foot-4. Oh, right, and he also went No. 1 in the broad jump (11 feet, 4 inches). Watson already was one of the breakout stars at the Senior Bowl a month ago, where the Lions got an up-close look at the most dominant X receiver of the week. Then they came to the combine telling everyone who would listen how much they need an X receiver. Interesting. “I think it comes in a number of shapes and forms,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “But I think the definition of it really is, as you said, a guy who can consistently win one-on-one. Whether that’s a big guy, with a lot of strength and size, or whether that’s a guy with elite quickness or speed, I think it comes a number of different ways.” On Thursday night, it was clear the top of this draft class is dominated by speed of all shapes and sizes. Even big guys like Watson were lighting up the night.) (3-4-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/03/detroit-lions-get-up-close-look-at-the-fastest-group-of-receivers-in-nfl-combine-history.html
What’s being said nationally after ho-hum QB class, speedy WRs hit field at NFL combine (With all that said, Christian Watson (North Dakota State) might have cemented himself as the most intriguing athlete on the board. He’s 6-foot-4 and just happened to jump 38.5 inches in the vertical before hitting 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash.) (3-4-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/03/whats-being-said-nationally-after-ho-hum-qb-class-hits-field-for-on-field-work-at-nfl-combine.html
2022 NFL Combine: Day 1 Takeaways (A popular Day 2 prospect that has been linked to the Lions is North Dakota State’s Christian Watson, who has a solid combination of size and speed. Standing in at 6-foot-4, Watson ran a 4.36 40-yard dash split. This effort has boosted his stock among many experts.) (3-4-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/2022-nfl-combine-day-one-takeaways
2022 NFL Combine results: 15 standouts from the wide receiver group (Christian Watson, NDSU, 6-foot-4, 208 (4.36 (40), 38.5” vertical jump, 11-foot-4 broad jump (best in group)): Watson was freakish in his scores, not only running a sub-4.4 but also exploding through the jump drills. But it wasn’t just super impressive testing numbers, Watson also shined in drills. He looked smooth, fast, and strong in the Gauntlet, was impressive in the 15-yard square-in, among others. At his height, with these athletic markers, and building off a strong Senior Bowl and Combine, Watson’s stock is rising as quickly as any player in this class.) (3-4-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/3/4/22960729/2022-nfl-combine-results-15-standouts-wide-receiver-group
Winners from Day 1 of 2022 NFL Scouting Combine (WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State - Talk to any diehard Bison fan, and they will tell you that they’re not surprised Watson is dominating the pre-draft process. Checking in at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, Watson ran the 40 in a whopping 4.36 seconds. Prior to that, he jumped out of the gym with an 11-foot-4 broad and 38.5-inch vertical. During the positional drills, he was crisp with his routes. Don’t be surprised if Watson is gone within the first 40 selections.) (3-4-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-scouting-combine-winners-malik-willis-chris-olave-christian-watson/
WATCH: NDSU WR Christian Watson crushes broad jump at NFL combine (3-4-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2022/03/03/watch-ndsu-wr-christian-watson-crushes-broad-jump-at-nfl-combine/
Winners and losers from Day 1 of scouting combine drills (Winner: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State - There was a bit of pre-combine hype around Watson based on a 2021 season in which he caught 43 passes for 801 yards and seven touchdowns, but the performance he put up in Indianapolis at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds will accelerate that process. Not only did he set the tone in the broad jump with an 11-foot-4 mark, he also blazed the track on both of his 40 attempts. Watson ran an official 4.36 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, and while the combine might not shoot him into the first round, the talk is getting louder and louder here.) (3-4-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/winners-and-losers-scouting-combine/
Receiver standouts from the first day of scouting combine drills (Christian Watson, North Dakota State - There was a bit of pre-combine hype around Watson based on a 2021 season in which he caught 43 passes for 801 yards and seven touchdowns, but the performance he put up in Indianapolis at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds will accelerate that process. Not only did he set the tone in the broad jump with an 11-foot-4 mark, he also blazed the track on both of his 40 attempts.) l(3-4-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-scouting-combine-nfl-draft-chris-olave-skyy-moore/
The eight biggest winners from Night 1 of the 2022 NFL Combine drills (4. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson made my list of FCS players to watch thanks to his ability to make in-route adjustments to catch up to off-target passes. He turned scouts heads in Indianapolis with elite numbers in the wide receiver drills. He’s big, he’s fast (though his 40 was adjusted to 4.36s), and he’s got the burst to create separation against NFL cornerbacks. He may not last beyond the second round.) (3-4-22): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-combine-winners-losers-wide-receivers-quarterbacks-tight-ends
The wide receivers at the NFL Combine were historically fast (Christian Watson, North Dakota State: 4.36s: Watson was a potential Day 2 flier whose stock rose sharply with a sub-4.4 40 time. The FCS star made a name for himself as a reliable wideout capable of making stellar adjustments to off-target passes. Now he’s shown he has the athleticism to handle the jump to the big leagues.) (3-4-22): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-combine-wide-receiver-40-times-tyquan-thornton-so-dang-fast
Winners, losers from Combine Day 1: QB impresses (Christian Watson
North Dakota State · WR: Watson, a former FCS receiver, proved he belonged on Thursday night, running a 4.36 40-yard dash at 208 pounds. He posted other excellent test results like an 11-foot-4 broad jump and 38.5-inch vertical. He was smooth and nimble in his route running during drills, showing his ability while competing alongside Olave, Garrett Wilson and other FBS stars. Watson's now pushing for a top-50 draft slot.) (3-4-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-scouting-combine-winners-and-losers-day-1-chris-olave-malik-willis-impr
2022 NFL Combine Stock Report - Wide Receivers (Up - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Christian Watson had some momentum entering the combine, and he was able to keep it alive with some great workout numbers. His unofficial 40 time was 4.28 (later adjusted to a 4.36), and he also registered a 38.5-inch vertical and an 11-4 broad jump, which ranked the best among players at his position) (3-4-22): https://walterfootball.com/combine2022stockWR.php
NFL Scouting Combine 2022 tracker: Measurements, best individual performances from Indianapolis (Skyy Moore, Christian Watson are no longer secrets - As for Christian Watson out of North Dakota state, he's 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, possesses 10 1/8-inch hands and ran a 4.36 40-yard dash. He also beat all receivers in the broad jump with a 11'04" and glided through the gauntlet. First-round buzz?) (3-4-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-scouting-combine-2022-tracker-measurements-best-individual-performances-from-indianapolis/
NFL combine 2022: what to know from WR/TE measurements (Winners - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State. His impressive numbers may help improve his draft stock. ) (3-3-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-combine-2022-christian-watson-imposing-jameson-williams-lighter-amid-acl-rehab-as-wrs-tes-get-measured/
5 Players who have the most to gain at the 2022 NFL Combine (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: While Trevor Penning asserted himself as the top FCS prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft early on in the process, North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson is making a push for that honor late in the game. An incredibly versatile offensive weapon, Watson has been routinely embarrassing FCS defenders as a pass catcher and with the ball in his hand. One of the biggest question marks on his scouting report was whether that would translate to the next level against improved competition. Well, I think it’s fair to say that he demonstrated that admirably at the Senior Bowl. Watson was arguably the star of the show in Mobile, demonstrating athletic and technical prowess. The 2022 NFL Combine gives Watson the opportunity to put an official number on his on-tape speed. There have been some arguments on social media as to what the NDSU wide receiver will run in Indianapolis. With a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and 4.09 shuttle on record from high school, it would be a surprise to see him run slower than that. Repeating those times at 6’4″ and 211 pounds would be a huge boost to his ever-ascending stock.) (3-3-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/5-players-who-have-the-most-to-gain-at-the-2022-nfl-combine/
Which smaller-school stars are worth watching at the 2022 NFL Combine? (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Like Penning, Watson plays for a Missouri Valley Football Conference powerhouse. And, like Penning, he boosted his profile at the Senior Bowl. There, he showcased the solid route running and space-creating speed that led him to more than 20 yards per reception as a Bison. Watson has NFL skills beyond solid hands and ability to change his trajectory and track off-target throws on the fly. He’s a big 6’4 target with a catch radius to match. While he could stand to add some bulk, he’s got solid instincts that kept FCS defensive backs swatting at ghosts while he turned that ounce of hesitation into miles of separation. If he can showcase upper-level quickness, he could work his way into a Day 2 spot despite a loaded group of Power 5 pass-catchers. Watson has plenty to prove after occasionally out-classing the competition in Bismarck. Snapping off clean routes and showing dependable hands in Indianapolis would go a long way in building trust among NFL decision-makers.) (3-2-22): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/which-smaller-school-stars-are-worth-watching-at-the-2022-nfl-combine
Top 2022 NFL Draft prospects to watch at the NFL Combine (So, I’m keeping an eye on 6’4″, 211-pound FCS star Christian Watson, who many expect to shine at the Combine.) (3-1-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-at-the-nfl-combine/
Combine participants to watch for this week in Indianapolis (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: A receiver that might be putting together a charge up draft boards is North Dakota State wideout Christian Watson. Watson is coming off his most productive season in college, catching 43 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which were career-high marks for him during his time in Fargo. Watson parlayed that production into an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where many looked at him as perhaps one of the best receivers in Mobile. Watson’s path to Fargo mirrors that of another player who made the leap from NDSU to the first round thanks to a stop in Mobile, quarterback Carson Wentz. Like Wentz, Watson enjoyed a late growth spurt, causing upper-level programs to pass on him as a recruit and leading to Watson suiting up for the Bison. But on the heels of a tremendous Senior Bowl week, Watson is primed to keep rising up boards. If he tests well, as is expected, he might just secure a spot in the first round for himself.) (3-1-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-combine-david-ojabo-kenny-pickett-malik-willis-skylar-thompson/
2022 NFL Draft: Answering combine's burning questions, including who will erupt and who needs a big workout (3. Which under-the-radar prospect is bound to be a household name after the combine?
Wilson: "I guess I'll keep bringing up Woolen until we all agree he's a household name. (WR) Christian Watson out of North Dakota State balled out at the Senior Bowl, as did South Alabama's Jalen Tolbert. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Chad Muma of Wyoming and Troy Andersen of Montana State are other names to watch.") (2-28-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2022-nfl-draft-answering-combines-burning-questions-including-who-will-erupt-and-who-needs-a-big-workout/
Wilson: "I guess I'll keep bringing up Woolen until we all agree he's a household name. (WR) Christian Watson out of North Dakota State balled out at the Senior Bowl, as did South Alabama's Jalen Tolbert. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Chad Muma of Wyoming and Troy Andersen of Montana State are other names to watch.") (2-28-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2022-nfl-draft-answering-combines-burning-questions-including-who-will-erupt-and-who-needs-a-big-workout/
NFL Combine preview: 15 wide receivers the Lions should be watching (Christian Watson (North Dakota State, 6-foot-4, 211) was the belle of the ball at the Senior Bowl and he’ll want to solidify himself as a Day 2 WR-X at the Combine.) (2-23-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/2/23/22944751/2022-nfl-combine-preview-15-wide-receivers-detroit-lions
2022 NFL Draft Stock - Post-Senior Bowl II (Up - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson was a good player for the Bison, but the Tampa, Florida native set his draft stock on fire with an excellent Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 211-pounder showed good speed and run-after-the catch ability to go along with mismatch size. In 2021, Watson caught 43 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown and 114 yards over 15 carries. Watson showed big-play ability in 2020 - 24.3 yards per catch - and 2019 - 21.5 yards per catch. After his impressive week in Mobile, Watson looks like he could up as an early second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.) (2-22-22): https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_24.php
2022 NFL combine: USC’s Drake London headlines deep receiver class as Detroit Lions search for playmaker (Christian Watson (North Dakota State): He averaged more than 20 yards per catch while winning three national championships. And by the way, he’s 6-foot-5. So why don’t more people know about Christian Watson? Because he did it at North Dakota State, an FCS school hasn’t produced an NFL receiver since 1985. But boy did Watson pop onto NFL radars during Senior Bowl week. Perhaps no one improved his stock more than that guy, who chewed up every cornerback that dared line up across from him. He was voted the best receiver on the American team -- a team that was coached by the Detroit Lions, by the way. Watson is now expected to be a Day 2 pick, although if he runs well at that size in Indy, his stock could soar even higher.) (2-21-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/02/2021-nfl-combine-uscs-drake-london-headlines-deep-receiver-class-as-detroit-lions-search-for-playmaker.html
Is North Dakota State's Christian Watson Next Deebo Samuel? (2-11-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/is-christian-watson-lions-no-1-wide-receiver-of-future
Biggest winners from the 2022 Senior Bowl (WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Watson always had game, finishing his collegiate career with 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns and averaging 20 yards per catch. However, he still flew under the radar, but that’s no longer the case after this week. With a freakish mixture of speed and size, Watson consistently got open at all areas of the field with crafty releases and crisp route running and was too physical for defensive backs at the catch point.) (2-7-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-senior-bowl-nfl-draft-malik-willis-christian-watson/
NFL draft stock report after the 2022 Senior Bowl (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State - Stock Up. The North Dakota State wideout is a fascinating specimen at 6-4 with the flexibility of a wideout much smaller. Of course, coming from the powerhouse of the FCS level, there was early concern about how he'd fare against competition from bigger programs. Watson easily passed the level-up test. He made a case as the most consistent receiver in Mobile during the week of practices in one-on-ones and team drills. He now feels like a Day 2 pick. ) (2-7-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-stock-watch-after-senior-bowl-perrion-winfrey-trevor-penning-big-winners-one-qb-shows-weakness/
'22 draft: Six takeaways on Senior Bowl standouts (His longest completion of 38 yards to North Dakota State's Christian Watson was significantly underthrown, but Watson made a very tough adjustment to catch the pass near his feet, fell untouched, then got up to extend the play another 20 or so yards before being tackled at the American 15. It all stemmed from a miscommunication, according to Pickett.) (2-5-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-six-takeaways-on-senior-bowl-standouts
TWENTYMAN: 10 players who impressed at Senior Bowl practices (4. WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Like Willis, it was a big week for Watson to prove he could keep up with better competition. He's got a long frame at 6-foot-4 and uses his length to his advantage. He's a smooth route runner with soft hands. He was the most consistent receiver down in Mobile through the three days of practices.) (2-5-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-players-who-impressed-at-senior-bowl-practices-johnson-willis-pickett
NFL draft: QB Malik Willis headlines winners and losers from the 2022 Senior Bowl (North Dakota State WR Christian Watson: Trey Lance’s deep threat in 2019 came in with relatively high expectations — or at the very least, some fascination. Watson impressed in the weigh-in by measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds with good arm length (32 3/4 inches) and big hands (10 inches). Then he went out and stacked three impressive practices and set himself up as a possible top-50 selection. What impressed us were his strong releases off the line and his body control. He toyed with most cornerbacks he faced in practice and looked far more developed than you’d expect from an FCS receiver coming from a school that features the run game. Watson also made a nice diving snag in Saturday’s game and showed some recognition, getting up and gaining yards after the catch. The game uses NFL rules, and the cornerback appeared to give up on the play. Coaches and scouts will notice that stuff. Other receivers who impressed included Memphis’ Calvin Austin III, Rutgers’ Bo Melton and South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert.) (2-5-22): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-qb-malik-willis-headlines-winners-and-losers-from-the-2022-senior-bowl-223734016.html
20 Senior Bowl players Lions fans should watch (Watson (6-foot-4, 211) established himself as a Day 2 receiver people need to be paying attention to. With the Lions also looking for an outside receiver, he should also be on the Lions' wish list.) (2-5-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/2/5/22919089/2022-senior-bowl-watchlist-20-players-who-would-fit-the-detroit-lions-scheme
Could Senior Bowl wide receivers be in Lions' offseason plans? (One of the more intriguing prospects has been North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson, who stands 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, and has made plays all week for the National Team. "I just wanted to show teams I'm a dominant competitor regardless of the level I'm playing at," Watson told detroitlions.com after Thursday's practice. "I came out here to showcase what I can do at this next level and what I'm capable of accomplishing, and I think I did just that.") (2-4-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/could-senior-bowl-ws-be-in-lions-offseason-plans-watson-tolbert-shakir
12 Senior Bowl players who stood out as potential Lions draft picks during the week of practices (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson was handily the highest-end wideout in Mobile on either roster. He cooled a bit after a sizzling first day of practices, but still proved he’s worthy of a top-50 consideration for his consistent ability to catch the ball away from his body and manipulate the coverage. His top-end speed is questionable, but Watson’s sharp routes for a bigger wideout were impressive. The 6-foot-4, 211-pounder probably played his way into the first half of the second round, pending his athletic testing at the scouting combine next month.) (2-4-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-senior-bowl-detroit-lions-potential-draft-prospects-practice/
2022 Reese's Senior Bowl: 10 biggest risers (WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE: Watson needed the Senior Bowl purely from a tape perspective. He hailed from a North Dakota State offense that had him run a grand total of 348 routes over the last two seasons. For context, 130 FBS wide receivers ran more routes than that in 2021 alone. Watson showed an ability to defeat press coverage that you rarely see from a 6-foot-4 wide receiver. His performance throughout the week wasn’t too far off from South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert, but Tolbert already checked in at 58 on the PFF draft board heading into the week.) (2-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-reeses-senior-bowl-biggest-risers
2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl: Day 3 Practice Highlights, Analysis & Takeaways (WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE (PFF Big Board Rank: N/R): I’ll be honest, Watson wasn’t a prospect I had watched prior to the latest big board update a month ago. Leading up to the Senior Bowl, though, his tape was quite clearly a different animal than the competition he was facing in the FCS. Watson showed the ability to get off the line of scrimmage all week long, which is a big plus for a 6-foot-4 wide receiver. Of course, he also presents a massive catch radius at that size and showed the ability to make plays outside his frame easily in the one-on-ones.) (2-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-reeses-senior-bowl-day-3-practice-highlights-analysis-takeaways
2022 Senior Bowl Practice Report: National Team (Tuesday - Caught the ball extremely well. Made a terrific contested catch down the field. Consistently extends his hands to make the catch away from his frame. More of a loper with average speed and struggled to separate. Wednesday - From a pass-catching point of view, Christian Watson was the most consistent this morning, and pretty much caught everything thrown in his direction. He made several nice deep catches and competed for the contested throws. Watson showed little in the way of speed or quickness in his game. Thursday - The big man showcased a quick release on Day 3 as Christian Watson beat Jim Thorpe Award winner Coby Bryant on an inside release at the goal line. He fought through hands and had even stronger hands at the catch point. Watson proved he belonged at the Senior Bowl against the best of the best.) (2-3-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-practice-report-national-team/
NDSU WR Christian Watson proves he belongs with strong Senior Bowl week (2-3-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-senior-bowl-christian-watson-north-dakota-state-highlights-notes/
TWENTYMAN: Senior Bowl Day 2 observations (Standout pass catchers: A couple pass catchers that have caught my eye the first couple days are wide receiver Christian Watson of North Dakota State and Colorado State tight end Trey McBride. Watson is a smooth route runner with size (6-4), and he's showed the last two days in the National Team practice he can play with better competition. McBride had a great catch down the seam in traffic, and he's made some splash plays these first two days.) (2-2-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-senior-bowl-day-2-observations-willis-enagbare-watson
2022 Senior Bowl Wide Receivers: Romeo Doubs, Jalen Tolbert headline the group (And Christian Watson — an FCS prospect who could be a big riser — is a size/speed phenom with long strides that would make Bigfoot gasp.) (2-1-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-wide-receivers/
NFL Draft: Reese's Senior Bowl Day One Recap - National Team Offense (WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Watson was the best of the bunch Tuesday from the National squad of pass-catchers. At his size, he had great footwork as a route-runner and plucked the ball out of the air. He has obvious speed and moves well, leaving corners struggling with his skill set. He’s showing to be a very complete player on Day 1.) (2-1-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/nfl-draft-reeses-senior-bowl-day-one-recap-national-team-offense
2022 Senior Bowl: Winners, losers from Day 1 practices (Winner: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: After dominating at a lower level, the 6-foot-4 wideout carried that over against some of the nation’s top cornerbacks, flashing big-play ability on Tuesday. The big and long target consistently made himself open with smooth routes and reeled in catches away from his body frame in one-on-ones. In addition, his catch-and-run ability was on display, as Watson clocked in at No. 5 in max speed according to Zebra Technology at 20.71 mph.) (2-1-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-senior-bowl-nfl-draft-winners-jermaine-johnson-travis-jones/
2022 Senior Bowl Day 1 notebook: QBs front and center (Austin, who played at Memphis, stands 5-foot-7 and weighs 173 pounds, is the exact opposite, physically, of North Dakota State's Christian Watson, who is 6-foot-4, 211. Both balled out Tuesday and Watson, who played with Trey Lance at NDSU in 2019, improved on those numbers in 2021 finishing with 43 receptions, 800 yards (18.6 YPC) and seven touchdowns. He needed no time to adjust from FCS competition to some of the best FBS players in the country. And Watson just isn't a big target -- he can move, too:) (2-1-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-senior-bowl-quarterbacks-look-to-separate-themselves-wide-receivers-edge-rushers-shine-on-day-1/
Senior Bowl notebook: WRs and LBs thrived in 1st practices (Watson, from North Dakota State, showed the full package of desirable skills. At 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, he presents a big target. The long speed is fine, but Watson also ability to vary his speeds and speed out of cuts nicely. Even against good coverage in some reps, Watson was still able to complete the catch away from his body with strong but soft hands.) (2-1-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/senior-bowl-notebook-wrs-and-lbs-thrived-in-1st-practices/
2022 Senior Bowl preview: Top prospects, biggest sleepers (Biggest sleeper: Christian Watson – North Dakota State. Watson played in 52 games during his Bison career, finishing with 105 catches for 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns, six of them coming in his sophomore season with Trey Lance under center, and averaging 20 yards per catch. Watson has the size/speed combo at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, reliable hands and tracking ability, with special teams upside as a kick returner.) (2-1-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-senior-bowl-nfl-draft-top-prospects-sleepers/
2022 NFL draft: 10 Senior Bowl prospects with the most to gain (or lose) in Mobile (North Dakota State WR Christian Watson: Trey Lance’s deep threat in 2019 arrives in Mobile as maybe the most fascinating skill-position player who can make a name for himself this week. He’s a legit 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds with mid-4.4 speed, 10-inch hands and 32-inch arms. And the Bison used him in several ways: quick-hitters, deep shots, end-arounds (he averaged 8.0 yards on 49 career rushes) and on kickoffs (two career TD returns). Watson reminds us a bit of a Marquez Valdes-Scantling type of prospect who could be a big-play artist in a play-action offense that wants to attack all parts of the field. Watching Watson operate against a good crop of Senior Bowl cornerbacks in one-on-one drills and team drills will be revealing of his potential.) (1-28-22(: https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-10-senior-bowl-prospects-with-the-most-to-gain-or-lose-130033832.html
Oliver Hodgkinson’s 2022 NFL Draft Risers: Cameron Thomas ascends into first-round range (Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson has actually been on our radar as a potential NFL Draft prospect since before the 2020 college season. Back then, we considered him an underrated prospect who could garner Day 3 attention. Even ahead of this season, that was still the perception. As a result, he landed at 195th overall on my initial big board. That’s the kind of area that I figured NFL teams might value his skill set versus the level of competition that he faces at the FCS level. Previously, he’d also had an exceptional quarterback providing him with passes (Trey Lance). However, Watson has shown that he transcends competition levels and quality of quarterback. He’s a game-changing unicorn with impressive size and exceptional speed. The NDSU receiver is the sort of player that can lay out to catch a 60-yard bomb but quite comfortably turn a screen pass into a big play as well. With the opportunity to prove himself at the Senior Bowl, he can match or even ascend the current 80th overall ranking I have for him.) (1-21-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/oliver-hodgkinsons-2022-nfl-draft-risers-cameron-thomas-ascends-into-first-round-range/
'22 draft: 10 prospects who will rise at Senior Bowl (5. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson made three catches early in North Dakota State's FCS championship game win over Montana State using his pro-caliber 6-foot-5 frame, speed and body control to complement the team's power running scheme. He had missed the previous three playoff games with a hamstring injury and NDSU only averaged 17 pass attempts per game this season, so he stood out despite a relative lack of opportunities. I expect he will stride past defenders after the catch and track the ball over either shoulder, go over the top of smaller corners on jump balls and look smooth as a runner on jet sweeps to boost his draft stock in Mobile.) (1-14-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-10-prospects-who-will-boost-their-stock-at-senior-bowl
NDSU vs. Montana State: Top 10 players in the 2021-2022 FCS National Championship (WR Christian Watson: Fresh off of the high of a Senior Bowl invite, Christian Watson hopes to make his return from a hamstring injury in the national championship. Even in an offense built around the ground game, Watson has impressed with 39 catches, 739 yards, and 7 TDs. Furthermore, he cracked the FCS All-American first team this year, earning second-team honors as an all-purpose player. If NDSU can field a healthy Watson in the title match, Montana State may rethink forcing Miller to throw just a bit.) (1-9-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/ndsu-vs-montana-state-top-players-in-the-2022-fcs-national-championship-game/
NDSU vs. Montana State Final Score: North Dakota State wins 2021-2022 FCS National Championship (Additionally, WR Christian Watson returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the previous postseason games. But upon his return, he caught 4 passes for 61 yards and showcased the talent that will see him drafted in April. Kobe Johnson also got in on the fun, pitching in 106 yards on 4 carries, taking one for a 76-yard scamper into the end zone.) (1-8-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/ndsu-vs-montana-state-final-score-north-dakota-state-wins-2022-fcs-national-championship/
NDSU vs. Montana State: Top 10 players in the 2021-2022 FCS National Championship (WR Christian Watson: Fresh off of the high of a Senior Bowl invite, Christian Watson hopes to make his return from a hamstring injury in the national championship. Even in an offense built around the ground game, Watson has impressed with 39 catches, 739 yards, and 7 TDs. Furthermore, he cracked the FCS All-American first team this year, earning second-team honors as an all-purpose player. If NDSU can field a healthy Watson in the title match, Montana State may rethink forcing Miller to throw just a bit.) (1-8-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/ndsu-vs-montana-state-top-players-in-the-2022-fcs-national-championship-game/
Prospects in the FCS Quarterfinals include Dylan Cook and Pierre Strong Jr. (Though the depth chart possesses no early draft selections this go-round, NDSU is still rife with NFL talent. Christian Watson is a sure-handed pass catcher who makes some incredible receptions. But more than that, he’s a tall (6’4″) wideout with reliable hands. Scouts graded Watson as early as the fourth round to as late as a PFA (preferred free agent). The truth is somewhere in between; it’ll be determined by pre-draft testing. Watson presently holds a fifth-round grade on my board.) (12-10-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/prospects-in-the-fcs-quarterfinals/
NDSU’s Trey Lance looks to prove he’s an exception to the rule (9-30-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/ndsus-trey-lance-an-exception-to-the-rule/
Top 25 Senior Bowl prospects: Which QB is No. 1? (22. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (6-5, 208): Watson looks and moves like he could be a sprinter or hurdler on the North Dakota State track squad, but don't let that fool you. Sure, he runs by defenders with those strides on go routes and shows excellent short-area agility and speed on jet sweeps, but his intensity shows when getting after cornerbacks as a blocker.) (9-2-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/top-25-senior-bowl-prospects-entering-the-2021-college-football-season
Wide receiver Christian Watson is an FCS sleeper for the 2021 NFL Draft (7-2-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/?s=%22Christian+Watson%22
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