The Packers and the Chiefs both made trades during the 2022 NFL offseason that left them thinner at wide receiver.
Green Bay sent Davante Adams to the Raiders in exchange for first- and second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Kansas City followed suit by sending Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for a package of picks that included the 29th overall pick in 2022.
It was widely assumed after those deals that the Packers and Chiefs would target receivers during the draft, but neither one addressed the position in the first round. Instead, each opted to use its two first-round picks on defense; the Packers took linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt while the Chiefs selected cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end George Karlaftis.
That inspired slight panic among the teams' fan bases. Receivers came flying off the board during Round 1. Surely that would happen in Round 2 as well, right? And what would the teams do then?
Well, it turns out that both teams' patience paid off. In the second round, they landed receivers who look like perfect fits for their respective receiver rooms.
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How Christian Watson fits with the Packers
The Packers didn't wait long on Day 2 before targeting their guy. They were aggressive and traded up to the 34th overall pick — the second pick of the second round — to land the top pass catcher remaining on the board.
The Packers sent their two second-round picks, Nos. 53 and 59 overall, to the division-rival Vikings to draft Christian Watson. The North Dakota State product is raw, but he was a big-time playmaker at the FCS level and has sky-high upside.
Watson averaged 20.5 yards per catch during his career with the Bison. He helped the team win three FCS titles and recorded 800 yards and seven touchdowns on just 43 catches during his final season in Fargo.
Watson showed off his freakish athleticism at the 2022 NFL Combine. He measured in with a 6-4, 208-pound frame but still managed to run a 4.36 40-yard dash. He also looked good during drills and showed off solid route-running ability. He'll need time to develop against NFL-level competition, but he has the tools to be a dangerous weapon.
MORE: Grading the Davante Adams trade for the Packers, Raiders
Green Bay is a perfect landing spot for him. It has had success with bigger receivers in the past, like Jordy Nelson, and the team under general manager Brian Gutekunst has preferred to draft bigger receivers. In 2018 alone, Green Bay drafted J'Mon Moore (6-3), Equanimeous St. Brown (6-5) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6-4).
Valdes-Scantling signed with the Chiefs as a free agent this offseason. Aaron Rodgers reportedly wanted to keep him, but the team apparently didn't want to offer him the three-year, $30 million contract the Chiefs gave him.
Watson's skill set is very similar Valdes-Scantling's. They are the same size and ran virtually the same 40-yard dash time. Watson, therefore, should have a chance to replace MVS in the Packers' offense with ease. He also has more upside than Valdes-Scantling at this point, as MVS never developed consistent chemistry with Rodgers. He is also cheaper.
Watson might not exactly be a replacement for Adams, but he has the athletic traits needed to be a No. 1 receiver. He also replaces some of Adams' and Valdes-Scantling's skills. On top of all that, Green Bay got him in the second round with its third overall pick. What's not to like about that?
MORE: Why the Titans traded A.J. Brown, explained
How Skyy Moore fits with the Chiefs
Like the Packers, the Chiefs were also going through an overhaul within the receiving corps. They lost three of their top four in Hill, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson but brought in some replacements in free agency.
Kansas City signed Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster as free agents, and they figure to play key roles. Valdes-Scantling adds size and speed to the outside while Smith-Schuster is a more physical receiver who does well in the slot.
But the Chiefs were still missing one key thing. Hill was one of their best receivers when it came to generating space. They needed someone who could separate and add speed to complement Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman.
The 5-10, 195-pound Moore should be an excellent fit in that role. He isn't limited to the slot; he can alternate playing inside and outside with Smith-Schuster. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and is a good route runner, so he should quickly endear himself to Patrick Mahomes.
MORE: Grading the Chiefs, Dolphins in the Tyreek Hill trade
Moore will need to learn how to use his speed to create more separation at the NFL level, but he has the skills to become a weapon. He was very productive at Western Michigan, with 95 catches for 1,292 yards and 10 touchdowns during his final season there.
For Kansas City, the best part about getting Moore was that it didn't have to trade up to get him. In fact it traded down. Andy Reid and Brett Veach navigated the draft well; it moved up to pounce on McDuffie in Round 1 while not losing much value and staying in position to get Karlaftis and Moore. That infusion of role players should provide a boost to the Chiefs as they look to go back to the Super Bowl.
