Packers News: Christian Watson Surprising Trade Candidate Ahead Of the NFL Trade Deadline

   

Green Bay Packers Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was injured in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings and did not return. Watson was carted off the field. On Monday, it was reported that he avoided an ankle fracture, but Christian Watson has a high ankle sprain that could land him on injured reserve.

Green Bay Packers Christian Watson
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) grabs his ankle after getting injured in the second quarter during their football game against Minnesota Vikingsx Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In the game against the Vikings, he didn’t record a single catch. Watson has caught five passes for 80 yards receiving and one touchdown so far this season. He is averaging 16.0 yards reception this season. Dontayvion Wicks took over for Christian Watson in the game.

Fansided Writer Nick Villano Thinks Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson Could Be a Trade Candidate Ahead Of the NFL Trade Deadline

Green Bay Packers Christian Watson
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (54) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) during the second quarter of their game Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Watson was injured on the play.

The NFL trade deadline will be on Tuesday, November 5. Nick Villano of fansided.com wrote about a trade candidate for each NFL team before the NFL trade deadline this season. Villano thinks that the Green Bay Packers could trade wide receiver Christian Watson at or before the trade deadline this year. Nick Villano said:

“The Green Bay Packers have a lot of above-average wide receivers. We think they could be really good, but they keep taking each other’s thunder. Just this past week, Jayden Reed had 139 yards and a touchdown. The week before, he had 50 yards. The week before, he had nine yards. This is going to keep happening as the Packers figure out this offense (and Jordan Love stays healthy).

Meanwhile, there’s Christian Watson. The speedster receiver has shown flashes of greatness. Unfortunately, it’s immediately followed by injury. Almost every single time, Watson has a big game and is on the shelf the next week. Often, he’s on the shelf for weeks. He’s on the shelf as we speak. It’s kind of crazy.

So why would the Packers trade Watson when he’s not having a great season and he’s below the value of the second-round pick they used on him? For one, it just opens up things for the offense. They don’t have to change the gameplan constantly for this large subset of wide receivers.


Watson is a different kind of receiver, and he’s one many teams would love to have. However, a team with a plethora of options is hampered by an inconsistent option like Watson. He can break behind the defense and score from anywhere on the field, but the Packers just can’t rely on him. So, elsewhere he should go.”

Some fans wanted Christian Watson traded a season ago or during the offseason. Watson also had hamstring injury issues a season ago.

Dontayvion Wicks Show

Green Bay Packers Christian Watson
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) and Dontayvion Wicks (13) celebrate a touchdown reception against the Minnesota Vikings during their football game Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Despite being targeted 13 times on Sunday, Dontayvion Wicks only caught five passes for 78 yards receiving and two touchdowns. He did have some key drops, but this is Wicks’s show now with Christian Watson out. He had great chemistry last season with Jordan Love.

Watson might be the odd man out when he comes back from injury. Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed will be the receiving core for the Packers moving forward. Watson’s health can’t be trusted at this point.