Week 8 at Buffalo Bills
Sammy Watkins returned to a 52% snap share in Week 7 and could get additional usage this week with Allen Lazard on the mend from a shoulder issue and missing practice Wednesday. It is difficult to forecast Watkins' role with much certainty as he has only played in three games so far this season. The Packers are desperate for playmakers in their offense, but they also face an extremely difficult matchup this week traveling to Buffalo to take on the Super Bowl favorites. Even with the potential for an increased role this week, Watkins is only a desperation flex play against the Bills in Week 8.
Week 12 vs. Cleveland Browns
Sammy Watkins had three catches on four targets for 48 yards last week against the Bears. Devin Duvernay had six targets as well last week, so we shouldn’t assume Watkins will get the additional targets if Brown misses again. The Ravens haven’t really supported two fantasy receivers on a consistent basis in their entire existence, so there’s no reason to expect that to change now. Leave him on waivers.
Week 11 at Chicago Bears
With Marquise Brown hurt, Watkins stands to benefit from some extra looks. However, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews are still likely to lead the team in targets, and with Lamar Jackson battling an illness, there's simply too much risk baked into starting Watkins. Even in a good matchup, he should be considered a boom-or-bust desperation starter at best.
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Sammy Watkins caught four of seven passes last week for 49 yards. The Colts are more vulnerable against the pass than the run, and Watkins’ targets make him at least moderately interesting, but this offense has been inconsistent at best when trying to sustain multiple fantasy receivers, so he’s a long shot for production. Sit him in all but the deepest of formats, as we have him outside starting territory in the rankings this week.
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Sammy Watkins caught four of his seven targets last week for 68 yards. He’s not putting up big numbers, but through three games, he’s averaging 7.3 targets and 69.3 yards per game so far, which keeps him fantasy relevant. We’ll see if he has value when/if Rashod Bateman gets back from injury, but right now, he has some deep-league potential. This week, he faces a tough Denver defense, however, making it hard to trust him as more than a desperation WR3 in very, very deep leagues. Be wary of him.
Week 3 at Detroit Lions
Sammy Watkins had four catches for 44 yards last week but was targeted the second-most on the team – seven times. He should continue to be an active part of the offense, giving him upside, at least until first-round rookie Rashod Bateman returns from temporary IR.
This week, Watkins faces a Lions defense that’s down their top corner and gave up big numbers to Deebo Samuel in Week 1. Detroit was a mess defensively last year, so there’s upside for Watkins to repeat his Week 1 performance and achieve fantasy relevance. We have him ranked outside starting territory, but he’s not a terrible desperation play as a WR3, given the matchup.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sammy Watkins had a nice start to the season with four catches for 96 yards, and he led the team with eight targets. Watkins has been known to put up occasional numbers and then disappointing in subsequent weeks, however, so fantasy managers should be wary of him. On the other hand, if you’re desperate, there’s the “revenge game” factor here, and Watkins might be extra motivated going up against his former team. He should likely be on waivers in most leagues, but in deeper formats, he has some really, really risky upside.
Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders
Watkins has always been a better theoretical fantasy option than an actual one. He’s now 28 years old and on his fourth team, entering an offense that hasn’t produced a steady fantasy receiver in the Lamar Jackson era. He should start, at least for the first part of the season, but it’s hard to imagine the offense sustaining him as a viable option in any format. Take a wait-and-see approach with Watkins, and he should probably be on waivers in most leagues.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sammy Watkins finished 4-60 on six targets last week. It's his third-highest yardage output of the season and just the fourth time he's topped 50 yards in a game. Watkins is OK, but he hasn't scored since Week 5 and is averaging 3.5 for 46.3 since returning from injury. He's not much more than a WR5 with a low ceiling.
Week 15 at New Orleans Saints
Sammy Watkins finished 2-52 on three targets last week. As we've mentioned before, the Chiefs utilize Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on a weekly basis, and then the rest of the offense picks up the scraps. Every now and then there are enough scraps to make the players worthwhile, but often times there isn't. Watkins is the best bet out of the other Chiefs WRs, but he's not much more than a WR5. He'll get a tough matchup against the Saints, who have allowed the third-fewest receptions to WRs this season.
