Expectations are high for the Green Bay Packers this season, especially for quarterback Jordan Love. And while the Packers do not have an elite player at the wide receiver position, there are plenty of quality players at the position, including Christian Watson and Jayden Reed.
But which one of the two should fantasy football managers look to start in the season opener versus the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday?
Here is the fantasy outlook for both Watson and Reed heading into Week 1.
Week 1 Fantasy Outlook for Christian Watson
Watson enters this season as the WR45 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings. While his numbers suggest he should be higher, his health has probably kept him from climbing in the fantasy rankings.
Injuries cost Watson three games in his rookie season of 2022, and eight games last season. However, in the 23 career games in which Watson has played, he has been effective.
Although he has just 69 receptions in two seasons combined (on 119 total targets, for a catch percentage of a less-than-impressive 58.0%), he is averaging 15.0 yards per reception in his two-season career, and that IS an impressive number for a young receiver.
He’s also caught 12 touchdown passes in his two seasons and has 14 scores total — two rushing touchdowns in 2022. And of his 14 total touchdowns, 10 have been from 10 or more yards away.
Watson played in only nine games last season, and in seven of the nine games — all starts — he finished with fewer than 50 receiving yards. But he still averaged 15.1 yards per reception and had five touchdown receptions in those nine games.
Week 1 Fantasy Outlook for Jayden Reed
Reed is the WR34 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings. He is coming off a productive rookie season, one that saw him start 13 of his 16 games.
His receiving numbers — 64 receptions, 793 receiving yards — were impressive enough for a first-year player in the NFL. But Reed’s most impressive statistic came where it mattered most: getting in the end zone.
Reed had eight touchdown receptions and ran for two more scores, giving him 10 scrimmage touchdowns last season. He was one of five rookies to reach double figures in touchdowns, and he did it on just 75 touches — or one touchdown every 7.5 times he touched the ball.
He also had the fourth-highest catch percentage (68.1%) among rookie wide receivers who caught at least 50 passes last season.
Who Should I Start in Week 1?
For fantasy managers looking at which Packers wide receivers to start in Week 1, these are your two most likely candidates. Both Watson and Reed appear more than capable of playing above their wide receiver fantasy rankings. But Watson must stay healthy, and Reed needs to build on an impressive rookie season.
The Eagles ranked next-to-last in pass defense last season, allowing 252.7 yards a game, so it makes sense for fantasy managers to look to the Packers for wide receivers in their respective lineups.
According to the Pro Football Network’s Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer, Reed is the best choice of the two to start Friday. Reed is projected to finish with three receptions, 39 receiving yards, six rushing yards, and 10.6 fantasy points.
Watson’s projections are for two receptions for 35 yards, three rushing yards, and 8.8 fantasy points.
I agree with PFN’s projections. Of these two, I would start Reed in Week 1.
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