FRISCO, TX - JANUARY 08: North Dakota State Bison wide receiver Christian Watson (1) catches the football for a first down during the FCS Championship game between the North Dakota State Bison and the Montana State Bobcats on January 8, 2022 at Toyot …
MILWAUKEE - The Green Bay Packers drafted Christian Watson, a wide receiver from North Dakota State, with the No. 34 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, April 29.
In the third round, with the No. 92 overall pick, the Packers selected UCLA offensive lineman Sean Rhyan.
Originally slated with two picks later in the round, the Packers traded up 19 spots to snag Watson – sending those two picks to the Minnesota Vikings via trade.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
"Obviously being able to catch passes from one of the best to ever do it is something I’m definitely excited about," Watson said. "I feel like I’m going to be able to learn and grow a lot through not just him but all the other receivers and everyone else in the organization as well. I definitely couldn’t be more excited to go at it with Aaron Rodgers."
The 6-foot-4 receiver was "one of the most explosive receivers at the FCS level," according to NFL.com. North Dakota State won Football Championship Subdivision titles in four of his five seasons at the school, including one redshirt year.
His kick return ability also could shore up Green Bay's special teams, the Packers' biggest weakness last season.
Watson has family ties to the Packers organization. The Packers drafted his father, former Howard defensive back Tim Watson, in the sixth round in 1993.
The Packers added depth to the offensive line with the selection of Rhyan, listed at 6 foot-5 and 321 pounds. According to Packers.com, he started 31 games over the past three seasons for the Bruins. He became a starter as a freshman.
The selection of two offensive players was a contrast to the draft's opening round, which saw the Packers select Georgia teammates Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in the first round – both were fixture's of the Bulldogs' national championship-winning defense.
Walker and Wyatt continued a trend of drafting Georgia Bulldogs early; the Packers took Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes with their top pick in the previous year's draft.
RELATED: Check out the new and improved FOX Sports app
Draft facts 2022
The Packers entered the 2022 NFL draft with 11 total picks. That included three picks in the second and third rounds; picks No. 59 and No. 92 overall were their own, and pick No. 53 was acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders in a trade for wide receiver Davante Adams. It is the fourth consecutive year that the team will have at least 10 picks.
In recent history, the Packers have been busy in the second round – making 22 picks compared to 17 in the first and 16 in the third since 2005. In that span, 13 picks have been spent on offensive players. Position-wise, wide receiver and cornerback have been selected the most often.
With Brian Gutekunst at the helm as general manager, the Packers have made the following second-round picks:
- 2021: Josh Myers, OL, Ohio State
- 2020: A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College
- 2019: Elgton Jenkins, OL, Missisippi State
- 2019: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
And the following have been drafted in the third round:
- 2021: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson (involved trade with Tennessee Titans)
- 2020: Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
- 2019: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
- 2018: Oren Burks, LB, Vanderbilt (involved trade with Carolina Panthers)
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
Offseason personnel changes
Aside from Adams' trade to the Raiders, the Packers saw seven players leave via free agency – including two-time Pro Bowl and one time second-team All-Pro edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Other moves of note included:
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, signing with the Chiefs
- Billy Turner, OL, signing with the Denver Broncos
- Lucas Patrick, OL, signing with the Chicago Bears
- Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, signing with the Bears
- Oren Burks, LB, signing with the San Francisco 49ers
- Corey Bojorquez, P, signing with the Cleveland Browns
Cornerbacks Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan, defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster and offensive lineman Dennis Kelly remain free agents. Edge rusher Whitney Mercilus retired.
On the flip side, a number of new faces will be in Green Bay:
- Sammy Watkins, WR
- Jarran Reed, DL
- Keisean Nixon, CB
- Pat O'Donnell, P
The team also reached new contracts with All-Pro linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, tight end Robert Tonyan and cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Rodgers and edge rusher Preston Smith signed contract extensions, and wide receiver Allen Lazard received a restricted free agent tender worth just under $4 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.