Sammy Watkins, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo decision not to pick up the final year of Watkins’ rookie deal was initially met with criticism. Why exhaust a huge capital to trade up for a receiver only to let him test free agency within the matter of a few years? For the Bills, this decision made perfect sense.
Watkins’ option for 2018 would have cost the team $13.3 million. By declining said option, Buffalo can still place the franchise tag on Watkins next March at a cost of just a couple million more per season. That limits the risk for Buffalo, especially after Watkins underwent two foot surgeries within the past calendar year.
This is somewhat good news for Watkins should he perform at a high level and remain healthy in 2017. Here’s a guy that’s averaging four-plus receptions for 67 yards per game throughout his career. Translated over the course of a 16-game season, that’s 67 receptions for nearly 1,100 yards per year. Considering Buffalo’s questionable quarterback situation during this span, that’s not too shabby at all.
In reality, Watkins has No. 1 receiver potential. He showed it in college at Clemson and has been ultra productive when healthy in the NFL. It’s now all about remaining healthy and taking his game to the next level. Should that happen in 2017, Buffalo might have done Watkins a favor by declining his 2018 option.