The Green Bay Packers signed Sammy Watkins last offseason hoping he would help fill the void left by their trade of Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. To say that the experiment was a colossal failure would be accurate. In nine games with Green Bay, Watkins had just 13 receptions for 206 yards and no touchdowns.
Watkins was released midway through the season as then-rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs got more and more playing time. He finished the season with the Baltimore Ravens and had three receptions for 119 yards in that span.
Now, Watkins is still a free agent, and with DeAndre Hopkins off the market is being named as a top free agent target for three AFC contenders that are still looking for a wide receiver.
Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins Is Named a Top Free Agent Target for the Bills, Patriots, and Chiefs
In a recent article posted by Bleacher Report, NFL writer Doric Sam names the top free agent wide receivers that the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs may still pursue. Since Hopkins signed with the Tennessee Titans, the list of free agent wide receivers that are still on the market are rather lackluster.
However, Sam does believe that Watkins could bring a vital veteran presence to either one of those AFC teams:
“Finally, veterans Jarvis Landry and Sammy Watkins are both looking to bounce back from lackluster 2022 campaigns. Watkins split the year between the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens, while Landry spent the season with the New Orleans Saints. Either of them would bring a strong level of experience to any team’s receivers room.”
When the Packers signed Watkins last season, they did so knowing he would not replicate Davante Adams’ production. Unfortunately, what little production Watkins did contribute was simply not enough.
That being said, Watkins did prove himself to be an above-average downfield blocker, something that any one of these three teams could use. None of them are going to sign him to be a top four receiver. At least they shouldn’t.
As the Packers unfortunately learned, Watkins’ time as an above-average pass catcher in the NFL is in the past. However, he is a veteran who does know how to do all the little things. That is why he has stuck around for so long. If the Patriots, Bills, or Chiefs want a veteran who can help teach younger wide receivers the intricacies of the position, there are worse choices than Watkins.
Ironically, Watkins has already played for two of these teams: the Bills and Chiefs, and enjoyed his best seasons with them.
Perhaps a reunion is in order.
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