Denver Broncos mock draft, post-Combine: Jermaine Johnson on top
Denver Broncos mock draft, third round
3a. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Given the fact that they have five picks in the top 100, you can’t help but wonder if we’ll see George Paton take a shot on a position that may not be a “need” right now like wide receiver.
This year’s wide receiver class is deep, and Christian Watson of North Dakota State is one of the more fascinating prospects available.
His stock is likely soaring to the point that the third round is a very optimistic projection for him, but you just never know. We thought predicting Baron Browning beyond the early second round last year was a ridiculous projection, remember?
Like everyone else on this list so far, Watson has elite and rare athletic traits:
Christian Watson is a WR prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.98 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 5 out of 2557 WR from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/WGDb5WvptX #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/WoLREjmUPh
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 4, 2022
Those athletic traits pop on tape and Watson is so much more than just an “X” receiver. He’s got natural instincts in space with the ball in his hands and was utilized at North Dakota State as a return specialist as well.
Although the Broncos just re-signed Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton last year, there’s a chance the receiver room could look vastly different by 2023 than it does right now.
I’m not saying the Broncos need to invest a first-round pick in the receiver position, but one of their top 100 picks? Why not?
Free agency will certainly address needs and the Broncos need to keep an open mind with these picks. A player with Watson’s combination of size, speed, ball skills, and playmaking ability should absolutely be on the radar.