Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Sammy Watkins showed off last week, finishing second in receptions (5) and yards (55) for the Chiefs. He also scored his first touchdown of the season. It's been a few years since the Chiefs had a legitimate No. 2 WR threat, but Watkins has filled that void in 2018.
He gets a solid matchup this week vs. Denver as he looks to continue his success. The speedy WR can take advantage of the fact the Broncos have given up plenty of big pass plays (over 13 of 20+ yards). We like him as a WR2 or strong WR3 option vs. the Broncos.
Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sammy Watkins wasn't too impressive in Week 1 (3-21), but he bounced back with a big Week 2 (6-100). He saw seven targets (second on the team) as he developed into a solid second WR threat outside of Tyreek Hill. He was practically the only member of the Chiefs offense to not score a touchdown, but the yards were nice.
We like Watkins to continue to be productive this week in a solid matchup against the 49ers. Fantasy owners should view him as a WR2 option vs. San Francisco.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sammy Watkins actually played 11 more snaps on offense than Tyreek Hill, but his final numbers weren't great: 3-21-0. He did see five targets, which isn't bad, but he certainly didn't look like the big playmaker we've seen in the past.
Expect Watkins to make some big plays here-and-there throughout the year, but if Week 1 is any indication, he's going to mostly have a small role in this offense while Hill shines. We like Watkins as nothing more than a WR4 against the Steelers in Week 2.
Week 1 at Los Angeles Chargers
Sammy Watkins is very talented, but he's struggled to be consistent in his NFL career. After a one-year stay with the Rams last season, where he finished with just 39 catches, he joins a Chiefs team which has lacked a real second WR threat for several years.
Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are still the go-to guys in this offense, but Watkins should carve out a nice role for himself in 2018. He should be viewed as a WR3 in a fairly tough matchup against the Chargers.
Fantasy Upside
In 2015, Sammy Watkins finished with 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games, proving he can play at a high level in this league. The speedy wideout signed with Kansas City this offseason for $48 million on a three-year deal and he becomes another weapon for strong-armed QB Patrick Mahomes. Coach Andy Reid said he’s moving Watkins "all over the place" on offense, so he clearly plans on using him heavily in 2018.
Fantasy Downside
While Watkins entered the league as a star, he’s faded a bit in recent years. The Chiefs will be his third offense in the last three seasons, and he didn’t produce much in his last two spots. Now, he joins a Kansas City team with Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill as solid first and second options, which limits how much Watkins can actually produce. Especially when Watkins is best as a deep threat, and the Chiefs already have a deep threat in Hill.
2018 Bottom Line
Watkins is one of the more interesting options in fantasy football this season as he has a high ceiling. But based on his recent production and what we can expect from the Chiefs offense, we view Watkins more as a WR3 with a boom-or-bust risk.
Wild Card Round vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sammy Watkins did not play in the Rams' Week 17 loss to the 49ers. Despite being acquired from the Bills right before the season to be L.A.'s No. 1 receiver, Watkins took a back seat to Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp this year. He finished with 39 catches for 593 yards and 8 touchdowns but was a volatile play week-to-week. Ranked as our No. 11 WR for Wild Card weekend, Watkins will be a touchdown-dependent play against the Falcons on Saturday night. We would avoid him.
Week 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sammy Watkins caught 3-of-7 targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ Week 16 win over the Titans. His touchdown came in the third quarter when he beat Adoree’ Jackson on a quick slant from Jared Goff. Otherwise, Watkins failed to generate a lot of yards again.
Watkins could see some playing time on Sunday when the Rams host the 49ers but Sean McVay will rest his starters. Ranked as our No. 52 WR for Week 17, avoid Watkins this weekend.
Week 16 at Tennessee Titans
Sammy Watkins caught 2-of-5 targets for 14 yards in the Rams' Week 15 win over the Seahawks. Jared Goff only attempted 21 passes as Todd Gurley and the running game took over against a depleted Seattle defense. Still, Watkins took a clear backseat to Robert Woods, who returned from a three-week absence due to a shoulder injury. With Woods back, Watkins returns to WR4 territory and is nothing more than a dart throw for Week 16. He ranks as our No. 38 WR this week and we suggest avoiding him.
Week 15 at Seattle Seahawks
Sammy Watkins caught 3-of-7 targets for just 21 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 14 loss to the Eagles. It was the veteran's seventh touchdown of the season and his third in as many weeks. With Robert Woods (shoulder) expected back for Week 15, Watkins will likely see a drop in targets. Ranked as our No. 49 WR for this weekend, avoid Watkins when the Rams visit the Seahawks on Sunday. He's nothing but a dart throw now that Woods is set to return
Week 14 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Sammy Watkins finished with 3 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown on 4 targets in the Rams’ Week 13 win over the Cardinals. If you took a flier on Watkins with Robert Woods out, the touchdown saved your fantasy day. That said, he was quiet for most of the game while facing off with Patrick Peterson. With Woods expected to miss one more game, Watkins does have some appeal as a high-upside play this Sunday versus the Eagles. Ranked as our No. 31 WR, we would recommend avoiding Watkins if at all possible. Philly has a nasty pass rush and could put the clamps on Jared Goff and the Rams passing game.
