Week 13 at Arizona Cardinals
Sammy Watkins caught 4-of-9 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 12 win over the Saints. The targets were a season-high for Watkins, who took advantage of his opportunities with Robert Woods out. The Rams also went pass-heavy against a Saints defense missing a couple of corners.
Unfortunately, Watkins will have to deal with Patrick Peterson when the Rams visit the Cardinals on Sunday. So even with Woods out, Watkins is not a good fantasy option this weekend. He ranks as our No. 41 WR for Week 13.
Week 12 vs. New Orleans Saints
Sammy Watkins caught 3 of his 4 targets for 34 yards in the Rams' Week 11 loss to the Vikings. After scoring touchdowns in Week 9 and Week 10, Watkins resorted back to the receiver he was before the two-game scoring burst. Still, with Robert Woods out with a shoulder injury, the Rams may be forced to lean on Watkins more in the passing game. Ranked as our No. 31 WR for Week 12, he makes for an intriguing boom-or-bust fantasy play on Sunday when L.A. hosts New Orleans.
Week 11 at Minnesota Vikings
Sammy Watkins caught 2-of-3 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 10 win over the Texans. He now has touchdowns in back-to-back games but didn't catch his first pass on Sunday until there were under two minutes left in the third quarter. The scores in back-to-back weeks are nice, but Watkins will be touchdown-dependent every week.
Ranked as our No. 41 WR for Week 11, we recommend avoiding Watkins when the Rams travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. There are safer options available.
Week 10 vs. Houston Texans
Sammy Watkins caught 1-of-2 targets for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 9 rout over the Giants. All 67 yards came on one touchdown in the second half when Watkins blew past a New York defense that failed to show up last week. That's kind of Watkins' season in a nutshell. The talent is there but Sean McVay's offense runs through Todd Gurley and there are other options (Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp) in the passing game besides Watkins. Ranked as our No. 36 WR for Week 10, Watkins remains a boom-or-bust play for Sunday's tilt against the Texans (who rank as fantasy's No. 30 defense against receivers).
Week 9 at New York Giants
Sammy Watkins caught 3-of-5 targets for 42 yards in the Rams' Week 7 win over the Cardinals. The stat line was Watkins' best since going off for 6-106-2 against the 49ers in Week 3. Jared Goff even targeted Watkins in the end zone on one pass attempt, but overthrew his receiver. The production just isn't there for Watkins, who has been a trade acquisition bust for the Rams. Ranked as our No. 42 WR for Week 9, avoid Watkins when the Rams visit the Giants on Sunday.
Week 7 vs. Cardinals (game in London)
Sammy Watkins caught 1-of-4 targets for 11 yards in the Rams’ Week 6 win over the Jaguars. Welcome to the bottom of the fantasy barrel. Watkins has 2 catches for 28 yards over his past three games. Since his 28-point effort in Week 3 against the 49ers, Watkins has scored 2.7, 0.0, and 2.1 points per game in PPR formats. Considering he’ll see plenty of Patrick Peterson in London on Sunday when the Rams take on the Cardinals, you can avoid Watkins again in Week 7.
Week 6 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sammy Watkins failed to haul in any of his 4 targets in the Rams’ Week 5 loss to the Seahawks. Sean McVay said earlier this week that the team will find ways to get Watkins more involved in the offense but the receiver himself noted he does not know if his role will increase moving forward. Watkins has all the talent in the world and he should be posting big numbers in McVay’s explosive offense, but for one reason or another, Cooper Kupp has been more productive. Ranked as our WR52 for Week 6, avoid Watkins against the Jaguars excellent defense.
Week 5 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sammy Watkins caught 1-of-2 targets for just 17 yards in the Rams' Week 4 win over the Cowboys. Todd Gurley was the Rams' offense, and when Jared Goff did throw, he stayed between the numbers and routinely hit slot receiver Cooper Kupp. After Watkins tore up the 49ers in Week 3, his performance was frustrating for fantasy owners that used him as a WR3. He didn't see a single target until the fourth quarter.
On Sunday, the Rams will host the Seahawks, who ranks as fantasy's No. 9 defense against wide receivers. Ranked as our WR26 for Week 5, view Watkins as a WR3/Flex option for this weekend.
Week 4 at Dallas Cowboys
Sammy Watkins caught 6 passes for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 targets in the Rams’ Week 3 win over the 49ers. Unfortunately for Watkins, he’s in the concussion protocol after taking a hard hit on his second touchdown. He walked to the locker room under his own power but was limited in practice on Wednesday.
The fact Watkins did practice this week is a good sign for his status for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Thanks to major progression from quarterback Jared Goff in Sean McVay’s offense, Watkins has emerged as a legitimate fantasy option again. Ranked as our WR23 for Week 4, view Watkins as a WR2 for Sunday, provided he’s active.
Week 3 at San Francisco
Sammy Watkins caught both of his targets for 30 yards in the Rams' Week 2 loss to Washington. The highlight of Watkins' day was a 28-yard catch in the third quarter in which he broke free from defenders. The good news is he showed the same burst that made him a top-five pick in 2014. The bad news is that he's not seeing the volume yet to be fantasy relevant.
Ranked as our WR45 for Week 3, avoid using Watkins against the 49ers on Thursday night. San Francisco ranks as fantasy's No. 12 defense against wide receivers.
