Sammy Watkins - Fantasy Points Outlook

What You Need to Know:

• Watkins, a bit of an NFL nomad, will play for his 5th team in 7 seasons.
• Last year in Baltimore, Watkins made 13 appearances, snagging only 27 of 49 targets for 394 yards and 1 score.
• He started hot, posting 4-96 in the opener and hitting 4 catches in each of the first 4 games. He benefited from the absence of Rashod Bateman, though.
• Watkins would hit 4 catches only once going forward. He sat out 3 games with a hamstring injury, played through a late-season knee issue and missed 1 game on the COVID list.
• In total, Watkins’ yards per route run (1.45), drop rate (12.9%) and catch rate (60%) all fell below career averages.
• Green Bay took a 1-year flier on Watkins. He reportedly considered retirement before signing on.
• Watkins doesn’t lack confidence but admitted in June that health will be key to any sort of rebound. Said the 29-year-old: ”When I’m on the field, I can ball, I can catch balls, I can score and I’m a dominant player. But the key is staying on the field.” He hasn’t played a full season since 2014.
• Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling leave ~240 vacated targets behind. But Green Bay also added 2 rookies (Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs) to join a returning tiro of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers.
• HC Matt LaFleur said at minicamp that Watkins will be a “big part” of the offense. So there’s at least some buzz on a guy who’s struggled with sustained success over the past ~6 years.

Draft Sharks Bottom Line:

Watkins hasn’t finished inside WR3 range since 2015. His opportunity for starting snaps is clear on a Packers squad that just lost Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

But will he mesh with Aaron Rodgers? And can he stay healthy enough to perform for fantasy managers? We’re skeptical, but with an ADP in Round 21, there’s zero risk in best ball leagues.