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WR Sammy Watkins, BAL (1 Viewer)

There seems to be a misunderstanding, Milkman didn't start the historical list sorted by size, that was somebody else, it is something we have been discussing, so it is a fair topic, not stupid.

I appreciate the research. He did talk about a trend in which contemporary taller WRs are displacing older shorter WRs, so he is tying this into the present and marking shifts over time.

I realize the game has changed a lot. There are still ways to look at greatness historically. WR Don Hutson was ridiculously more productive relative to his peers (more than the next three combined one year?). More to the point, I think great players could play in different eras. I'm not sure about Jim Thorpe and Bronco Nagurski? :) But I think Jerry Rice would still be great. Montana, Marino. Jim Brown, Payton. Winslow. Lott, Easley. Reggie White, LT. Deion.

Historical lists and identifying important traits and attributes correlated with success are useful as an initial screen or filter. But ultimately it is necessary to look at each player on a case by case basis. By breaking down Watkins, which the thread is doing, he can be put into context to get a sense of how rare or special he is (or isn't). Not just in height or weight, but his overall skill set.

 
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Watkins 34 inch vertical bothers me as well. White who I think is a decent comp, in comparison, had a 41 inch vertical. That's a huge difference but I'm not sure how much players use that huge vert it seems like it would be better to just be 6'5. White is a little taller.

Is Watkins as tough as White? I mean obviously White would kick Watkins ### (state champ in wrestling) but I mean football tough. I think Watkins is tough. He makes great catches in traffic. Fights for the ball well. It would appear that's a good sign.

 
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this whole argument becomes null and void when he lines up opposite Gordon and gets #2 corners.

wasted a whole lotta keystrokes in here, gents.

 
Milkman said:
Watkins 34 inch vertical bothers me as well. White who I think is a decent comp, in comparison, had a 41 inch vertical. That's a huge difference but I'm not sure how much players use that huge vert it seems like it would be better to just be 6'5. White is a little taller.

Is Watkins as tough as White? I mean obviously White would kick Watkins ### (state champ in wrestling) but I mean football tough. I think Watkins is tough. He makes great catches in traffic. Fights for the ball well. It would appear that's a good sign.
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Watkins looks tough as nails to me.

 
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cstu said:
Milkman said:
Watkins 34 inch vertical bothers me as well. White who I think is a decent comp, in comparison, had a 41 inch vertical. That's a huge difference but I'm not sure how much players use that huge vert it seems like it would be better to just be 6'5. White is a little taller.

Is Watkins as tough as White? I mean obviously White would kick Watkins ### (state champ in wrestling) but I mean football tough. I think Watkins is tough. He makes great catches in traffic. Fights for the ball well. It would appear that's a good sign.
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Watkins looks tough as nails to me.
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No lie, this feels like a case of Milkman going on nothing but stats and data rather then him actually seeing Watkins play. The kid has been an all star since day 1.

 
Watkins to me is as safe a 1.1 pick as AP or Calvin was in their draft, or AJG or Julio in their draft years.

 
Soulfly3 said:
this whole argument becomes null and void when he lines up opposite Gordon and gets #2 corners.

wasted a whole lotta keystrokes in here, gents.
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Same if he has Pryor and McGloin throwing to him.

 
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I also want to say that looking at what percentage of WRs that reach certain arbitrary benchmarks are "short" is irrelevant without first establishing what percentage of WRs that enter the league are "short".

I mean, I could sit here and say that only two players in NBA history 5'6" or shorter have ever played in 500 games... but since there have only been three players in NBA history 5'6" or shorter (Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, and Mel Hirsch back in the '40s), that doesn't mean anything. If the NBA takes some 5'4" kid high in the first round, should I say that only 0.1% of the players to reach 500 career games have been 5'6" or shorter, so this kid only has a 0.1% chance of succeeding? Or should I point out that 67% of the players to make the league at 5'6" or shorter have played 500 games, so this kid has a 67% chance of playing 500 games? Both methods have their drawbacks, but the second method will give us odds much, much, much closer to the true odds.

Similarly, if WRs 6'1" or shorter represent 20% of the guys entering the league, but 33% of the guys on the career lists, then that bodes well for Watkins' future- it suggests he's more likely to make those career lists than a random taller guy. If short WRs represent 50% of the guys entering the league, but 33% of the guys on the career lists, then that is in fact a bad sign for Watkins, which suggests he's less likely to make those career lists. And either way, this data is merely suggestive, and really has no actual bearing on whether Watkins will make those lists or not- if Marvin Harrison caught fewer balls, that wouldn't make Sammy Watkins more likely to fail.

Basically, all of these arguments are meaningless without some sort of context. How many short receivers enter the league? How many short receivers are drafted in the first round?

Archer said:
Watkins to me is as safe a 1.1 pick as AP or Calvin was in their draft, or AJG or Julio in their draft years.
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Mark Ingram was the #1 pick by ADP in the Green/Julio draft.

 
Adam Harstad said:
I also want to say that looking at what percentage of WRs that reach certain arbitrary benchmarks are "short" is irrelevant without first establishing what percentage of WRs that enter the league are "short".

I mean, I could sit here and say that only two players in NBA history 5'6" or shorter have ever played in 500 games... but since there have only been three players in NBA history 5'6" or shorter (Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, and Mel Hirsch back in the '40s), that doesn't mean anything. If the NBA takes some 5'4" kid high in the first round, should I say that only 0.1% of the players to reach 500 career games have been 5'6" or shorter, so this kid only has a 0.1% chance of succeeding? Or should I point out that 67% of the players to make the league at 5'6" or shorter have played 500 games, so this kid has a 67% chance of playing 500 games? Both methods have their drawbacks, but the second method will give us odds much, much, much closer to the true odds.

Similarly, if WRs 6'1" or shorter represent 20% of the guys entering the league, but 33% of the guys on the career lists, then that bodes well for Watkins' future- it suggests he's more likely to make those career lists than a random taller guy. If short WRs represent 50% of the guys entering the league, but 33% of the guys on the career lists, then that is in fact a bad sign for Watkins, which suggests he's less likely to make those career lists. And either way, this data is merely suggestive, and really has no actual bearing on whether Watkins will make those lists or not- if Marvin Harrison caught fewer balls, that wouldn't make Sammy Watkins more likely to fail.

Basically, all of these arguments are meaningless without some sort of context. How many short receivers enter the league? How many short receivers are drafted in the first round?

Archer said:
Watkins to me is as safe a 1.1 pick as AP or Calvin was in their draft, or AJG or Julio in their draft years.
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Mark Ingram was the #1 pick by ADP in the Green/Julio draft.
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That last line is so awful.

 
Gandalf said:
Adam Harstad said:
I also want to say that looking at what percentage of WRs that reach certain arbitrary benchmarks are "short" is irrelevant without first establishing what percentage of WRs that enter the league are "short".

I mean, I could sit here and say that only two players in NBA history 5'6" or shorter have ever played in 500 games... but since there have only been three players in NBA history 5'6" or shorter (Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, and Mel Hirsch back in the '40s), that doesn't mean anything. If the NBA takes some 5'4" kid high in the first round, should I say that only 0.1% of the players to reach 500 career games have been 5'6" or shorter, so this kid only has a 0.1% chance of succeeding? Or should I point out that 67% of the players to make the league at 5'6" or shorter have played 500 games, so this kid has a 67% chance of playing 500 games? Both methods have their drawbacks, but the second method will give us odds much, much, much closer to the true odds.

Similarly, if WRs 6'1" or shorter represent 20% of the guys entering the league, but 33% of the guys on the career lists, then that bodes well for Watkins' future- it suggests he's more likely to make those career lists than a random taller guy. If short WRs represent 50% of the guys entering the league, but 33% of the guys on the career lists, then that is in fact a bad sign for Watkins, which suggests he's less likely to make those career lists. And either way, this data is merely suggestive, and really has no actual bearing on whether Watkins will make those lists or not- if Marvin Harrison caught fewer balls, that wouldn't make Sammy Watkins more likely to fail.

Basically, all of these arguments are meaningless without some sort of context. How many short receivers enter the league? How many short receivers are drafted in the first round?

Archer said:
Watkins to me is as safe a 1.1 pick as AP or Calvin was in their draft, or AJG or Julio in their draft years.
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Mark Ingram was the #1 pick by ADP in the Green/Julio draft.
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That last line is so awful.
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It made my stomach turn.
 
Sammy Watkins hopes NFL career matches his college hype

By Mike Huguenin

College Football 24/7 writer

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins received high praise from NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock late last week, with Mayock saying Watkins was one of the best wide receivers he has seen on tape in the past decade (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000331181/article/mike-mayock-offers-high-praise-for-clemsons-sammy-watkins).

There have been 38 wide receivers selected in the first round in the past 10 drafts, and 14 were top-10 picks. Watkins is considered a top-10 lock.

Those 14 can be put into three groups.

Stars or rising stars: Larry Fitzgerald (third overall pick in 2004), A.J. Green (fourth in 2011), Calvin Johnson (second in 2007), Julio Jones (sixth in 2011).

Too soon to tell or journeyman talents: Tavon Austin (eighth in 2013), Justin Blackmon (fifth in 2012), Michael Crabtree (10th in 2009), Braylon Edwards (third in 2005), Ted Ginn (ninth in 2007), Darrius Heyward-Bey (seventh in 2009), Roy Williams (seventh in 2004).

Misses: Mike Williams (10th in 2005), Reggie Williams (ninth in 2004), Troy Williamson (seventh in 2005).

SAMMY WATKINSSize: Measured 6 feet 0¾ and 211 pounds at the combine

Combine events: 4.43 in the 40 (unofficial 10-yard split of 1.53 seconds); 34-inch vertical jump; broad jump of 10 feet, 6 inches; 16 reps in the bench press; 4.21 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; 7.00 seconds in the three-cone drill.

Stats at Clemson: 240 receptions for 3,391 yards and 27 TDs in three seasons.

THE NUMBERSAverage size of the 14: 6 feet 2, 210 pounds

Leading career receiver: Austin, with 288 catches in four seasons.

Leading per-season receiver: Crabtree, with 231 receptions in two seasons (115.5 catches per season). His 231 receptions ranks sixth among the 14 despite just two seasons in college.

Receptions yards leader: Roy Williams, with 3,866 yards in four seasons.

Leading yards-per-season receiver: Crabtree, with 3,127 yards in two seasons (1,563.5 yards per season).

Most TD catches: Crabtree, with 41 in two seasons. Blackmon had 40 in three seasons, and that was the second-highest total.

How Watkins ranks compared to the 14: His 240 catches are fifth-most, his yardage total is sixth-most and his TD catches are ninth-most.

PRO RESULTSAustin: He had 40 receptions for 418 yards and four TDs as a rookie in 2013. Eighteen of his receptions came in the first three games. His lack of size bothered some teams, and he was considered far from a sure thing coming out of West Virginia.

Blackmon: He has had a troubled start to his career, with 93 receptions in just 20 games. He was suspended for 12 games in 2013 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. He had a great career at Oklahoma State, but needs to get on the stick - - and quickly.

Crabtree: He has had one 1,000-yard season, with 1,105 yards in 2012. He set his career-high with nine TDs that season. For as much success as he had at Oklahoma State, he doesn't appear to be an elite-level receiver in the NFL.

Edwards: He had a great season in 2007, with 80 receptions for 1,289 yards and 16 TDs. Alas, his season-highs since then are 55 catches, 904 yards and seven TDs, and his career appears to be over. He was considered by some to be the best prospect in the 2005 draft, but didn't come close to that level.

Fitzgerald: He is one of the league's best receivers and was one of the nation's top two receivers in each of his two seasons at Pitt. In the NFL, he has had six 1,000-yard seasons, two 100-catch seasons and seven seasons of 80-plus receptions. He also has had five seasons with at least 10 TD receptions, including 2013. Still, he's 30, and it's fair to wonder if he is on the downside of his career.

Ginn: He has 11 career TD catches and never has caught more than 56 passes in a season. He has been a solid return man, though. Still, picking him at No. 9 was a huge reach by Miami, given his production (1,943 receiving yards in three seasons) at Ohio State.

Green: He has reached the 1,000-yard plateau in each of his three seasons and caught 11 TD passes in each of the past two seasons. He also has caught a combined 195 passes in the past two seasons. In short, he is proving to be one of the league's elite receivers. He was highly touted out of high school and lived up to the hype in college at Georgia. So far, he has lived up to the college hype, too.

Heyward-Bey: His selection widely was panned, and the criticism was deserved. No question Heyward-Bey was fast, but he was far from a polished receiver at Maryland. He has 12 career TD receptions, and his season-high in receptions is 64. He has caught 40 or fewer passes four times in six seasons. He is a complementary guy, and if not for his blazing speed, he would've been a mid-round selection at best.

Johnson: Is there really a need to explain how good "Megatron" has been? He has had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and has 45 TD receptions in that span, including a 16-TD extravaganza in 2011. He had 122 receptions for 1,964 yards (but just five TDs) in a dominant 2012 campaign. He is the best receiver in the league. He was ultra-productive at Georgia Tech, too, under then-coach Chan Gailey.

Jones: He looked good in his first two seasons, but played just five games in 2013 because of a foot injury. He had a 1,159-yard season in 2012 and missed a 1,000-yard season as a rookie by just 41 yards. As with his former SEC rival, A.J. Green, Jones was a highly hyped high school star and lived up to that hype in college at Alabama. If he returns to form in 2014, the Falcons will have one of the league's best young receivers.

Mike Williams: He looked like a mini-tight end - - and he ran like a slow mini-tight end. He simply overpowered defenders in two phenomenal seasons at USC (2,579 yards and 30 TDs with the Trojans), but he couldn't do that in the NFL. He finished his career with 127 receptions and five TDs, and played for five teams in his five seasons. He did show some moxie by returning to the league in 2010 after missing two seasons and was solid that season with Seattle. But one "solid" season does not cut it for a No. 10 overall pick.

Reggie Williams: He lasted for five seasons and never had more than 629 receiving yards in any of them. His season-high in receptions was 52 in 2006, and he did have 10 TD receptions in 2007. But he was out of the league by 2009 and finished with just 18 TD catches. He had a big-time career in college at Washington.

Roy Williams: He had one 1,000-yard season, catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven TDs in 2006. He had four seasons with at least seven TD catches, but never showed the ability - - outside of '06 - - to be a go-to receiver. He did hang around for nine seasons, though, and finished with 393 receptions and 44 TDs. He is one of the best wide receivers in University of Texas history.

Williamson: He was a great athlete out of South Carolina with basically zero clue as to the nuances of the position. He finished his five-year career with 87 receptions and five TD catches.

WATKINS GOING FORWARDIt's not as if he has a lot to live up to. The majority of the 14 receivers who have gone in the top 10 in the past decade have been disappointments.

Johnson is a tremendous player, and Fitzgerald is another who lived up to the hype. There is hope for Green and Jones.

The other 10, though, did not meet or have not met the hype, with a handful being flat-out busts.

Watkins is both fast and quick, and also is elusive and strong. As Mayock said, he looks like a can't-miss guy. But it's not as if can't-miss receivers haven't missed before.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
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I typically wait until after the draft before slotting rookies into my rankings, because draft position is such a large component of my talent evaluations. With that said, I think the absolute ideal, pie-in-the-sky, best-possible outcome for Sammy Watkins, as far as my rankings will be concerned, is if Detroit gives up the #10 and their 2015 first to move up and select him at #3 overall. At that point, I don't care if he's 6'13" or 5'2", he's going to tick pretty much every box on my checklist. Top-3 pick, pass-heavy offense, quality young QB under long-term contract, favorable coverages... with that confluence of circumstances, Watkins would be a no-brainer, no-hesitation top-10 dynasty WR for me, probably slotting in somewhere around WR8 or 9 after Calvin, Green, Jones, Dez, Demaryius, Harvin, and Gordon.

 
Adam Harstad said:
I typically wait until after the draft before slotting rookies into my rankings, because draft position is such a large component of my talent evaluations. With that said, I think the absolute ideal, pie-in-the-sky, best-possible outcome for Sammy Watkins, as far as my rankings will be concerned, is if Detroit gives up the #10 and their 2015 first to move up and select him at #3 overall. At that point, I don't care if he's 6'13" or 5'2", he's going to tick pretty much every box on my checklist. Top-3 pick, pass-heavy offense, quality young QB under long-term contract, favorable coverages... with that confluence of circumstances, Watkins would be a no-brainer, no-hesitation top-10 dynasty WR for me, probably slotting in somewhere around WR8 or 9 after Calvin, Green, Jones, Dez, Demaryius, Harvin, and Gordon.
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Yup. That about sums it up.

 
Adam Harstad said:
I typically wait until after the draft before slotting rookies into my rankings, because draft position is such a large component of my talent evaluations. With that said, I think the absolute ideal, pie-in-the-sky, best-possible outcome for Sammy Watkins, as far as my rankings will be concerned, is if Detroit gives up the #10 and their 2015 first to move up and select him at #3 overall. At that point, I don't care if he's 6'13" or 5'2", he's going to tick pretty much every box on my checklist. Top-3 pick, pass-heavy offense, quality young QB under long-term contract, favorable coverages... with that confluence of circumstances, Watkins would be a no-brainer, no-hesitation top-10 dynasty WR for me, probably slotting in somewhere around WR8 or 9 after Calvin, Green, Jones, Dez, Demaryius, Harvin, and Gordon.
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I'd have him the no-brainer #7 after the big 6 if he goes to Detroit. That would be nuts to see him alongside Calvin with Stafford throwing to those 2.

 
Rotoworld:

NFL Media analyst Charles Davis doesn't believe Clemson WR Sammy Watkins is "far and away the draft's best wide receiver."
In a deep WR class, Watkins is the only prospect that has garnered top-5 consideration from experts. Until recently, in fact, Watkins was the only WR considered a top-10 probability. "Watkins is a great prospect and deserves the praise he has received, but I still think USC WR Marqise Lee isn't getting enough credit," wrote Davis. "Also, Texas A&M WR Mike Evans is being discussed as a top-10 pick now, and we weren't hearing that prior to the combine, where he impressed with his 40-yard dash. We might look back and say this year's class of receivers was even better than we once thought -- and we thought it was great."

Source: NFL.com
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Rotoworld:

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell stated on the Ross Tucker Podcast that he believes Clemson's Sammy Watkins is the best wide receiver prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones came out for the 2011 draft.
"If you just look at the skill set," Cosell said of Watkins, "I think you're dealing with a guy who's an explosive mover. He's a powerful mover. There's velocity to his movement. He can run over people. He's got straight-line speed. He's laterally quick. He's got run-after-the-catch strength." Watkins is also considered a pro-ready route runner. He's a lead-pipe lock to be drafted in the top-seven picks.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast
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Rotoworld:

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins compared his game to Torrey Smith.
Rotoworld's Josh Norris has made the same comparison for some time, but adding that Watkins has some ball carrying skills similar to Cordarrelle Patterson. Smith is a different player now than he was coming out of Maryland, but his best trait is still stretching the field vertically. Watkins has the skills to do this and flashed it at Clemson, despite screens accounting for more than 55 percent of his catches in 2013.

Source: Bucky Brooks on Twitter
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Faust said:
Rotoworld:

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins compared his game to Torrey Smith.
Rotoworld's Josh Norris has made the same comparison for some time, but adding that Watkins has some ball carrying skills similar to Cordarrelle Patterson. Smith is a different player now than he was coming out of Maryland, but his best trait is still stretching the field vertically. Watkins has the skills to do this and flashed it at Clemson, despite screens accounting for more than 55 percent of his catches in 2013.

Source: Bucky Brooks on Twitter
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Watkins should not compare his game to T. Smith. Smith is a one trick pony. Sure Watkins can be a field stretcher, but his game is more than that. Smith entering his 4th year has never caught more than 65 balls in a season. I think Watkins will be a lot more of a volume guy and you can expect more catches than a guy like Smith.

Edit to add that even in college Smith's best year was a 67 catch season as a junior. Watkins had 82 catches as a freshman and 101 last year as a junior.

 
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Faust said:
Rotoworld:

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins compared his game to Torrey Smith.
Rotoworld's Josh Norris has made the same comparison for some time, but adding that Watkins has some ball carrying skills similar to Cordarrelle Patterson. Smith is a different player now than he was coming out of Maryland, but his best trait is still stretching the field vertically. Watkins has the skills to do this and flashed it at Clemson, despite screens accounting for more than 55 percent of his catches in 2013.

Source: Bucky Brooks on Twitter
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Ohhh Sammy, noooo! Compare yourself to T Smith? What are you thinking?

 
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell stated on the Ross Tucker Podcast that he believes Clemson's Sammy Watkins is the best wide receiver prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones came out for the 2011 draft.
"If you just look at the skill set," Cosell said of Watkins, "I think you're dealing with a guy who's an explosive mover. He's a powerful mover. There's velocity to his movement. He can run over people. He's got straight-line speed. He's laterally quick. He's got run-after-the-catch strength." Watkins is also considered a pro-ready route runner. He's a lead-pipe lock to be drafted in the top-seven picks.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast
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I value what Cosell says more than a lot of guys out there. If you read what he thinks of Watkins it is exactly why I started this thread and compared Watkins to Andre Johnson.

 
Carter_Can_Fly said:
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell stated on the Ross Tucker Podcast that he believes Clemson's Sammy Watkins is the best wide receiver prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones came out for the 2011 draft.
"If you just look at the skill set," Cosell said of Watkins, "I think you're dealing with a guy who's an explosive mover. He's a powerful mover. There's velocity to his movement. He can run over people. He's got straight-line speed. He's laterally quick. He's got run-after-the-catch strength." Watkins is also considered a pro-ready route runner. He's a lead-pipe lock to be drafted in the top-seven picks.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast
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I value what Cosell says more than a lot of guys out there. If you read what he thinks of Watkins it is exactly why I started this thread and compared Watkins to Andre Johnson.
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I like Watkins too, but I hope "There's velocity to his movement" isn't a reason why you like Cosell. That's a pretty terrible statement. Yogi Berra-esque.

 
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Adam Harstad said:
False Start said:
Sammy Watkins Instagrams His Lions Jersey

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/03/10/sammy-watkins-instagrams-his-lions-jersey-photo/

He sure loves the thought of being in Detroit.
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I would love that. I would love it even more if they traded up to get him.
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Detroit would be insane to draft Sammy Watkins in the first place, let alone trade up to get him. Detroit needs help everywhere but WR. Their passing offense is not a concern, especially after signing Golden Tate. They already have the most cap space used on WRs for 2015 and 2016 in the NFL. What benefit is Sammy Watkins really going to provide the Lions? A marginal increase in passing yards compared to previous years?

 
fridayfrenzy said:
Adam Harstad said:
False Start said:
Sammy Watkins Instagrams His Lions Jersey

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/03/10/sammy-watkins-instagrams-his-lions-jersey-photo/

He sure loves the thought of being in Detroit.
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I would love that. I would love it even more if they traded up to get him.
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Detroit would be insane to draft Sammy Watkins in the first place, let alone trade up to get him. Detroit needs help everywhere but WR. Their passing offense is not a concern, especially after signing Golden Tate. They already have the most cap space used on WRs for 2015 and 2016 in the NFL. What benefit is Sammy Watkins really going to provide the Lions? A marginal increase in passing yards compared to previous years?
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It's not about the yards, it's about efficiency. Stafford has only completed 60% of his passes one time. Last year he had 58% despite throwing 100 passes to RB's who caught ~75% of their targets. Burleson was the only WR who caught 58% of his targets.

 
fridayfrenzy said:
Adam Harstad said:
False Start said:
Sammy Watkins Instagrams His Lions Jersey

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/03/10/sammy-watkins-instagrams-his-lions-jersey-photo/

He sure loves the thought of being in Detroit.
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I would love that. I would love it even more if they traded up to get him.
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Detroit would be insane to draft Sammy Watkins in the first place, let alone trade up to get him. Detroit needs help everywhere but WR. Their passing offense is not a concern, especially after signing Golden Tate. They already have the most cap space used on WRs for 2015 and 2016 in the NFL. What benefit is Sammy Watkins really going to provide the Lions? A marginal increase in passing yards compared to previous years?
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I'm not saying that's what would be best for Detroit. I'm saying that's what would be best for Sammy Watkins. Totally different things.

With that said, since they're already devoting so much cap space to WRs, it'd be nice to get some quality production on a cheap rookie contract, and by the time Watkins was up for a second deal, Calvin's contract would be getting too onerous for the Lions to retain him. I agree that the Lions have other needs elsewhere, but I don't agree that they don't have needs at WR, too.

Edit: Also worth noting that at the time of my original post, the Lions had not yet signed Golden Tate.

 
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With Schaub probably going to Oakland, Does that make Oakland the front runner to land Watkins? Then we can all hear Schaub tell us how much Watkins is like AJ :) haha.

 
cstu said:
fridayfrenzy said:
Adam Harstad said:
False Start said:
Sammy Watkins Instagrams His Lions Jersey

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/03/10/sammy-watkins-instagrams-his-lions-jersey-photo/

He sure loves the thought of being in Detroit.
Click to expand...
I would love that. I would love it even more if they traded up to get him.
Click to expand...
Detroit would be insane to draft Sammy Watkins in the first place, let alone trade up to get him. Detroit needs help everywhere but WR. Their passing offense is not a concern, especially after signing Golden Tate. They already have the most cap space used on WRs for 2015 and 2016 in the NFL. What benefit is Sammy Watkins really going to provide the Lions? A marginal increase in passing yards compared to previous years?
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It's not about the yards, it's about efficiency. Stafford has only completed 60% of his passes one time. Last year he had 58% despite throwing 100 passes to RB's who caught ~75% of their targets. Burleson was the only WR who caught 58% of his targets.
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How would Watkins make Stafford more accurate? If the Lions want to help Stafford, they draft the guy with a huge catch radius: that's Evans, not Watkins.

 
You know I'm starting to think there's a decent chance Evans gets drafted before Watkins. He's been slowly moving up draft boards. The guys only 20 years old too.

 
werdnoynek said:
Milkman said:
You know I'm starting to think there's a decent chance Evans gets drafted before Watkins. He's been slowly moving up draft boards. The guys only 20 years old too.
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In fantasy leagues? Sure. No way it happens in the NFL draft.
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I like Evans a lot and think he is going to be a very good pro. I just think in NFL and in fantasy that Watkins has the much higher ceiling and therefore will get drafted higher in both.

 
What situation would be best for him to end up at? How about the worst? Conventional wisdom would say that going to Oakland would be bad. Is that the case? Is St. Louis his best case, fantasy wise?

 
matttyl said:
What situation would be best for him to end up at? How about the worst? Conventional wisdom would say that going to Oakland would be bad. Is that the case? Is St. Louis his best case, fantasy wise?
Click to expand...
I would say St. Louis would be about 2nd worst. Run first mentality and they could not figure out how to get Austin going last year. Detroit would be a great fit.

 
I happen to think that Watkins is bullet proof. He will make the most of the situation where ever it ends up being. Ala Gordon did in Cleveland and AJ Green did in Cincy. If you are good enough you will get yours. Things change quickly in the NFL and a bad situation can go to good in a hurry. Would it be that bad for Watkins getting 140 targets next season playing with Schaub in Oakland? Probalby not.

If Watkins is who many of us think he is, he should be fine even in a gloomy situation.

 
Carter_Can_Fly said:
I happen to think that Watkins is bullet proof. He will make the most of the situation where ever it ends up being. Ala Gordon did in Cleveland and AJ Green did in Cincy. If you are good enough you will get yours. Things change quickly in the NFL and a bad situation can go to good in a hurry. Would it be that bad for Watkins getting 140 targets next season playing with Schaub in Oakland? Probalby not.

If Watkins is who many of us think he is, he should be fine even in a gloomy situation.
Click to expand...
Agree to agree. Watkins can ball wherever he goes.

 
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