Rookie wide receiver Christian Watson has already played himself into focus for the Green Bay Packers. Now, both quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur have spoken out about the pass receiver.

Munich – The Green Bay Packers lost their best wide receiver and top pass rusher Aaron Rodgers in the offseason with the trade of Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Now the Packers have a young rookie pass receiver playing his way to the forefront that even the star quarterback was surprised by.

Christian Watson has already made an impression on the team after just a few weeks and could actually become the Packers’ shooting star on offence – at least if Rodgers has his way, who recently spoke highly of the 21-year-old.

Rodgers: “Different kind of receiver “

“This guy has an incredible stride. Really, for a guy, at over 6-foot-5, he’s fast as hell. It’s nice to have him. He’s a different kind of receiver than what we usually have,” the reigning MVP said on the “Pat McAfee Show.”

This year’s second-round pick has made such a lasting impression on the veteran quarterback that Rodgers even has a new nickname for the youngster: “I might have to come up with a new nickname for David Bakhtiari, because that kid [Watson] could be the new baby giraffe. Or maybe even more of a deer, because he’s already prancing and almost flying across the field. “

Knee surgery on Watson during offseason

Watson was the seventh wide receiver picked in the draft and came from North Dakota State. But whether he will play a role right out of the gate for the Packers is questionable. Watson underwent knee surgery during the offseason, is not yet at one hundred percent and, unlike the other receivers in Green Bay, is well behind in practice.

Nonetheless, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur left the door a little bit open for him to play in Week 1 on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. “His physical ability, his speed and the power that he brings is obvious. We’ll plan with him on Sunday and we’ll see how it goes. “