Last week was his first touchdown, but when Christian Watson comes back, don’t overlook him.
Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs received a lot of attention as the Packers rebuilt their receiver group over the course of the previous two drafts.
Watson, who the team selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, had a freakish athletic ability that suggested he might develop into the Packers’ next star receiver.
Watson gave Packers fans a tantalizing glimpse of his potential after a slow start due to injury (unfortunately much like this year as well).
He scored seven touchdowns in four games.
While this was going on, Doubs had a fantastic rookie training camp and preseason, which intensified the hype surrounding him.
Sadly, he struggled to find a rhythm with Aaron Rodgers throughout the season, but he and Jordan Love have become good friends.
In the season opener against the Chicago Bears, two touchdowns proved that.
Despite all the attention paid to those two players, there is a hidden threat among the receivers who could also become a big play threat.
Dontayvion Wicks, a rookie, is here.
As the saying goes, “one man’s trouble is another man’s opportunity,”
and Wicks is profiting from Watson’s absence.
He caught two passes last week against the Falcons, including his first career touchdown, and would have been able to catch more had the Flea Flicker play that started the game not been interfered with. He also nearly scored again, but Falcons cornerback AJ. neatly thwarted him.
When Watson is able to play again, it will be difficult to keep Wicks off the field.
It’s impressive for someone who was sidelined for so long during the preseason due to a hamstring and concussion.
It’s understandable why the Packers like Wicks.
He has shown himself to be a willing blocker, which is crucial in Matt LaFleur’s offense, and he runs his routes well.
Although nothing on his stat sheet currently stands out, he is already displaying all the traits necessary to develop into another reliable receiver for the Packers.
That ought to sound familiar if it does.
Despite being smaller, Wicks has all the makings of becoming the next Allen Lazard.
When challenged, dependable; when not.
Samori Toure and Malik Heath in particular may have it tough if he can build on what he accomplished in Atlanta.
Wicks would have a role on the boundary if the Packers decide to move Watson, say to the slot.
Regardless of how he is utilized, the fifth-round pick will get more playing time when Watson returns.
It’s encouraging to see the Packers’ young wide receivers displaying signs of promise so early in the season given the many doubts that surrounded them throughout the offseason. It indicates that they are expanding their options and, more importantly, their depth.
It almost seems like general manager Brian Gutekunst had a strategy in mind the entire time.
You and Love both enjoy observing it.
There will be bumps in the road, but Wicks’ talent is already apparent, which is encouraging for a rookie selected in the fifth round. LaFleur is fond of saying that if he gets one p.
He gets a little bit better every day, so by the end of the season, he’ll be in fantastic shape.
Everything points to the Packers making yet another excellent late-round selection.