Losing Christian Watson was a huge blow for the Green Bay Packers going into Philadelphia last month and will continue to be a massive loss into next season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Even throughout the roller coaster of a career that Watson has had in his first three seasons, one thing was evident.

The Packers were worse when he was not on the field.

With a weak free-agency class and an average draft class at the position, the avenues to easily replace some of the production Watson provided are limited — unless, of course, they’re interested in reuniting with old friend Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

That being said, some options in the draft make plenty of sense. My favorite is Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins.

Higgins is not a one-for-one comparison to Watson; he’s very different stylistically. However, he’s an archetype they lack without Watson, which is size on the outside.

At 6’3”, 217 lbs., Higgins is a big outside receiver who has perfected his craft on the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t have Watson’s 4.3 speed. However, he has a great release package, wins quickly off the line, and can beat you over the top that way.

Few players Higgins’ size can move as well as he does. He can run the whole route tree and is as sure-handed as they come, which Green Bay’s receiving room lacks.

Higgins only had two drops in 2023 and 2024. Because of his release, he’s best on slants and quick-winning routes and uses his body well to shield defenders. Because of his size, he’s also great in the red zone.

He has a combination of some of the best traits that other guys in Green Bay’s receiving room possess. Higgins has Watson’s size, Wicks’ release package, and Doubs’ ball-winning ability.

And he has had to grind his way to the top by refining his craft. It shows on the field with his technique and nuance at the position.

He was a two-sport athlete in high school who played basketball and football, a two-star recruit in football who had only six offers.

Higgins attended Eastern Kentucky University and put up over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns, garnering attention from bigger Division I programs.

After his sophomore season, he entered the transfer portal and committed to Iowa State. In his first year at ISU, he had 53 catches for 983 yards and six touchdowns. Last year, he had 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns, including seven for 115 yards in the Big 12 Championship game against Arizona State.

Following his senior season, Higgins declared for the draft and accepted an invite to Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he improved his draft stock.

He’s squarely in early Day 2 conversations but could edge his way into Round 1 with a great workout at the combine.

The Packers look for production, size, and athleticism at receiver. Higgins is huge, has great production, and is expected to test well. I expect him to be on Green Bay’s board.

The question is whether Higgins tests his way into first-round consideration. The Packers haven’t taken a receiver in the first round since 2002. (Have you heard this one before?) Still, at a combine press conference last week, Brian Gutekunst said, “I don’t think we’d ever hesitate to take one in the first round if the right one was there.”

Green Bay has also reportedly expressed interest in other first-round receivers, such as Brandon Aiyuk and Justin Jefferson, but they were taken before the Packers were on the clock. Green Bay also reportedly attempted to trade into the first round to take Watson to get the fifth-year option. However, they couldn’t get it done and settled for a trade-up in the second.

So, I would not rule Higgins out as a possibility in the first if the testing justifies it. Still, he’s likely available in the second, and the Packers could trade up for him on Day 2.

Given Watson’s injury, the Packers must aggressively fill that void in the receiving room this offseason. With few options in free agency and on the trade market, and other positions of need that they could better address that way, the draft is the best way to address the receiving room.

Given Jayden Higgins’ ability to play on the outside with his size and playstyle, he’s the right fit for Gutey and the Packers.