The 49ers don’t pick until late in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but could Trey Lance potentially be reunited with North Dakota State Bison wide receiver Christian Watson?
INDIANAPOLIS -- North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson, like Trey Lance before him, wants to prove it doesn’t matter that he played at a smaller college.
The three-year starter and two-year FCS All-American spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area while at the NFL Scouting Combine. Watson shared that he still keeps in touch with the 49ers quarterback, who was his teammate with the Bison.
“I’m sure his experience was a little more hectic than mine given his position.” Watson said on Wednesday. “He just told me to enjoy the process and just be me. That’s all he said. It’s been amazing to be able to see him be successful and get more opportunities. I’m excited to see him going forward.”
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SIGN UP HERE Watson not only recorded 43 catches for 800 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior year, but also carried the ball 15 times for 114 yards and another score on the ground. In his four seasons at North Dakota State, Watson recorded 105 receptions for 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns and 49 carries for 392 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
The versatile draft prospect, like 49ers "wide back" Deebo Samuel, is not afraid to run with the ball in his hands. But at 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, Watson is built differently than the All-Pro. The lengthy receiver might need to add a little weight to his frame to be able to run between the tackles.
“At North Dakota State we run the football a lot,” Watson said. “That’s what helps us win games. Being a wide receiver that’s something that you have to embrace. I think that’s something I learned to enjoy really early.
“Whether I’m catching 10 balls a game or I’m getting 10 good blocks a game it was the same to me in the end. Whatever I can do to help my team win, and blocking was a big part of that.”
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Without a pick until late in the second round, the 49ers might not have an opportunity to draft Watson, as buzz around the receiver’s performance at the Senior Bowl has raised his draft stock. The young receiver ran clean routes, and showed his blocking ability throughout the game.
Watson would be a familiar target for Lance, who will be under center for the 49ers very soon. Their chemistry could help the offense’s production as Ja’Marr Chase’s presence did for Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 after the two were college teammates at LSU.
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The young receiver's ability as a blocker is something that Kyle Shanahan looks for in a player. The head coach's outside zone run scheme requires a toughness from not only the ball carriers, but all 11 players on the field. Watson would love to be reunited with his former Bison teammate in Santa Clara knowing what type of leader Lance is.
“I would just describe Trey Lance as that guy,” Watson said. “He’s a dude in everything that he does on and off the field. He’s a student of the game. Everything he does is him trying to get better at being a man and being a football player. Trey Lance is a dude.”
Like most players from smaller colleges programs, Watson will be spending the next few months motivated by the chip on his shoulder.
“I’m trying to go out and show people I’m the best regardless of what level I’m playing at and I think I’m going to continue to do that going forward," Watson said.
