Sammy Watkins Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins was knocked out of Monday night's game against the Broncos with a hamstring injury. He reportedly tested the hamstring after exiting but told the trainers that he couldn't get back out there. Watkins' absence leaves Kansas City with Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and De'Anthony Thomas behind Tyreek Hill.

Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins has failed to catch any of his 3 targets through 2 preseason games. But the team isn't worried. “When it’s all said and done, Sammy is doing a heck of a job,” OC Eric Bieniemy said. “He’s doing a great job. He’s accepted the challenge because we’re not just playing him at one position. He’s accepted the challenge of learning all three across the board. We want versatile football players. I know everybody wants to talk about what’s happening on the field on game day, but I will say this: [Watkins and QB Patrick Mahomes'] communication, their rhythm is starting to sync.” Mahomes is also happy with where he's at with Watkins. "We've had good connections throughout the practices. We haven't connected in the preseason so far, but at the same time, the relationship I'm building with him on the practice field, after practice, whatever we're doing, I feel like will translate into the season," Mahomes said. "When you have that much talent, you're going to be open, so hopefully I can just get the ball to him. He's going to be open a lot." It'd be nice to see these guys hook up in Kansas City's 3rd preseason game. But Watkins remains a nice upside WR3 target regardless. His ADP has dipped a bit lately and is now sitting in the late 7th round.

WR Sammy Watkins is set to sign with the Chiefs when free agency opens on Wednesday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that it's a 3-year, $48 million deal with a whopping $30 million guaranteed. Watkins never seemed to fully settle into the Rams offense after being dealt to Los Angeles last August. But he averaged a strong 15.2 yards per catch and scored 8 times. Most importantly, he didn't miss a game due to injury for the 1st time since his rookie campaign back in 2014. Watkins turns just 25 in June and remains a big-time talent. He has target competition on his hands, though, joining a Chiefs offense featuring TE Travis Kelce, WR Tyreek Hill and RB Kareem Hunt. It's a loaded group, making 2nd-year QB Patrick Mahomes a major breakout candidate in 2018.

Rams WR Sammy Watkins (concussion) put in full practices on Thursday and Friday and isn’t listed on the final Week 4 injury report. Watkins is a WR3 with upside vs. Dallas’ 16th-ranked WR defense. WR Tavon Austin (concussion) has also been cleared for Sunday’s game.

Rams WR Sammy Watkins (concussion) progressed to a full practice on Thursday. He's now on track to play against the Cowboys this weekend, barring a setback. Watkins is worth getting into fantasy lineups vs. the league's 16th-ranked WR defense.

Rams WR Sammy Watkins (concussion) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He's made some progress through the protocol, but his status for Sunday's game against the Cowboys remains in limbo. Check back tomorrow for another update.

Rams WR Sammy Watkins left in the 4th quarter of Thursday night's game against the 49ers and was diagnosed with a concussion, HC Sean McVay said after the win. It's the 1st concussion of his NFL career, and he'll have 10 days to get cleared ahead of next weekend's game against the Cowboys. We'll track his progress through the protocol. Watkins went off for 106 yards and 2 TDs before exiting.

The Rams finally have themselves a true #1 WR. They traded CB E.J. Gaines and a 2018 2nd-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for WR Sammy Watkins. It's an aggressive move by a team that has poured resources into its offense this offseason. Watkins joins a WR group that includes free-agent signee (and former teammate) Robert Woods, rookies Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds and holdover Tavon Austin. A heathy Watkins is clearly the top dog here, though. Of course, he'll also be dealing with a QB downgrade from Tyrod Taylor to Jared Goff. Watkins' fantasy stock takes a bit of a hit with this move.

The Bills made a pair of blockbuster trades on Friday afternoon. They sent WR Sammy Watkins and a 6th-round pick to the Rams in exchange for CB E.J. Gaines and a 2018 2nd-round pick. Then they acquired WR Jordan Matthews and a 2018 3rd-rounder from the Eagles in exchange for CB Ronald Darby. Whoah. This is a downgrade in WR talent for the Bills, although Matthews has obviously been more reliable from a durability standpoint. We'll see how he fits into an offense that also just signed slot WR Anquan Boldin. Although Matthews is moving to a run-heavier offense than the 1 he was part of in Philly, he looks like the best bet for targets in Buffalo.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) has avoided the PUP list and will participate in the team's 1st training camp practice on Thursday night. It's been a smooth rehab from January foot surgery. Buffalo figures to monitor Watkins' reps throughout August, but his fantasy arrow is pointing up right now.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) made his offseason practice debut on Thursday, taking part in individual drills. (Here's a video clip of him in action.) "It's one day at a time at this point," HC Sean McDermott said of Watkins' status. He underwent a 2nd foot surgery in January after reportedly playing through a broken foot last season. It at least looks like he's on track to be ready for the start of training camp. Watkins' health will be worth monitoring closely this summer.

Bills QB Tyrod Taylor told the team website that he has noticed the "maturation process" speeding up for WR Sammy Watkins this offseason. "His attention to detail each day has definitely been different than the years past that I’ve been around him," Taylor said. "He’s always been a hard worker, but you can definitely tell that he’s out there with the right mindset and with the positive attitude, trying to help the guys that are around him.” The QB specifically mentioned aspects such as eating right, which is often a lesson young players need to learn -- in various sports. Watkins' big problem has obviously been staying on the field, and eating a salad or some salmon isn't going to keep his foot from breaking. But preparing his body better could certainly affect Watkins' health and durability. In any event, increased focus -- and the motivation of a contract year -- can't hurt a player who has always flashed the talent.

The Bills have declined the 5th-year option on WR Sammy Watkins' contract. That year -- along with the $13 or so million it would have paid him -- is guaranteed for injury only prior to the start of the 2018 league year. So Buffalo is (perhaps rightfully) worried that Watkins will suffer another serious injury. He's now set to become a free agent next offseason. Getting out of run-heavy Buffalo might help Watkins' fantasy stock. Rookie Zay Jones, meanwhile, could find himself as the Bills' #1 WR as soon as next year.

Bills QB Tyrod Taylor has been medically cleared from his January groin surgery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Buffalo has until March 11 to decide whether to pick up Taylor's $27.5M option bonus. Reports on whether they'll do so have been all over the board. If they don't, it'd start another rebuilding process at the position for the Bills. That'd be bad news for WR Sammy Watkins.

The Bills have hired Rick Dennison as OC. Dennison spent the past 2 years as Denver's OC under Gary Kubiak -- and also coordinated Kubiak's Texans offenses from 2010 to 2013. It's notable that Dennison worked with Tyrod Taylor as Baltimore's QB coach in 2014. We'll see if Taylor is Dennison's QB in Buffalo in 2017 and beyond.