Who Should I Start? Christian Watson or Matthew Golden


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.9 0.7 0.0 3.4 52.2 0.4

Christian Watson News

Pieces in Place for a Career Year from Christian Watson

Monday, August 17, 5:49 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has never topped 41 catches or 620 receiving yards in a season, but he's also never played a full slate of games nor been the team's unquestioned primary receiver. With the team moving on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, reports out of training camp indicate that Watson has a strong chance to be a lynchpin of the Packers' offense, and if he can manage to stay healthy throughout 2026, he could be due for a legitimate breakout. Now more than 19 months removed from the ACL injury that ended his 2024 season, Watson returned for the final 11 weeks of 2025, playing as the fantasy WR9 over that span and catching six touchdown passes over his final seven games. With tight end Tucker Kraft expected back for the start of the year after suffering his own ACL tear in 2025, the Packers are expected to lean heavily on multi-tight-end packages, a personnel grouping from which Watson has historically thrived. Watson has not finished as a top 40 fantasy receiver since his rookie season, but at RotoBaller's WR28, a sizable step forward is expected, and he is capable of flirting with WR1 upside in any given week.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.0 2.7 0.0 3.2 41.8 0.2

Matthew Golden News

Matthew Golden Returns to Practice After Toe Injury

Tuesday, August 11, 10:35 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (toe) returned to practice Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky. Golden had been sidelined since Family Night, where he caught a 57-yard touchdown from Jordan Love and continued a strong start to his second training camp. The 2025 first-round pick had 29 catches for 361 yards and no touchdowns in 14 regular-season games as a rookie, but Green Bay has created more room for him this year after Romeo Doubs left in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks was traded. Golden, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed are expected to lead the receiver group. The quick return is encouraging, especially after Golden dealt with shoulder and wrist injuries during his rookie season, but it is not yet clear how much work he handled Tuesday. For now, the toe issue looks like a brief interruption rather than something that should change his fantasy outlook.


Christian Watson vs. Matthew Golden

Still trying to decide between Watson and Golden? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Christian Watson is projected to score 10.9 points this week while Matthew Golden is projected to score 9.0 points.