Week 12: Watkins vs Jets
The Bills will play their 'home' game this week in Detroit because of the weather in western New York and that is a good thing for Sammy Watkins who is nursing a sore groin. In the first meeting with New York, Watkins exploded with 157 receiving yards and touchdown and that came on only three catches. Since that game, Watkins has been in a little slump (59 yards in two games), but the targets have still been there (17).
The Jets are 18th in aFPA to wide receivers so this should set up nicely for Watkins to have another good game against New York. Start him as a solid WR2 for Week 12.
Week 11: Watkins vs Dolphins
The ten targets for Sammy Watkins shows that he is still in the sight lines of Kyle Orton. The results weren't there with only four catches for 27 yards. But he still is a dangerous weapon.
Watkins faces Miami who is ranked 9th in aFPA to wide receivers so the matchup is not good for the Bills' rookie. He still will be a No. 1 target on Thursday, but only rankes a WR3 for Week 11.
Week 10: Watkins vs Chiefs
Sammy Watkins tweaked his groin in practice on Wednesday and did not practice Thursday, but he should still play on Sunday. He was red-hot before the bye week so owners are probably hoping to see more of the same.
Kansas City should prove a formidable matchup as they are 11th in aFPA to wide receivers. Watkins is still a good play, rating a high-end WR2 against the Chiefs.
Week 8: Watkins vs Jets
Sammy Watkins had a career-high 14 targets, 9 catches and 122 yards receiving last week. He also got into the end zone twice including the game-winner. Great game for the rookie. And there is more to come.
We have watched Watkins adjust to the NFL over the first half of the season and he is the real deal. He will face a Jets defense that is 13th in aFPA to wide receivers so it's a very neutral matchup. Start him as a solid WR2 as there could be some adjustments for the Bills' offense with new running backs in the mix.
Week 7: Watkins vs Vikings
Sammy Watkins had a season-high 12 targets last week which led to seven catches for 87 yards. Veteran quarterback Kyle Orton will find ways to get Watkins involved because he realizes his value.
The biggest issue entering Week 7 is the Vikings secondary which has been very good against opposing wide receivers. They are ranked 9th in aFPA to wide receivers and were very good last week against Detroit.
Watkins is still developing but we are already seeing good results. He should be in your starting lineup as a low-end WR2 against Minnesota.
Week 6: Jackson vs.Patriots
Sammy Watkins first experience with veteran quarterback Kyle Orton was a good one. He had a season-high 12 targets and his second best game overall of the season. You would think they will get better as they get more comfortable with each other.
We might not find out this week, as the New England defense has been excellent against opposing wide receivers this season. If you want to take a chance and hope that Watkins overcomes the Pats defense, he rates a WR3 for Week 6.
Week 5: Watkins vs. Bills
Will a quarterback change help rookie Sammy Watkins? We got a sneak peak of his potential back in Week 2. And it's not like E.J. Manuel wasn't targeting him. He just wasn't connecting with him.
Plenty of questions when you start a new QB. Will he look for Watkins? Are they on the same page? We won't know until we actually see them in action, but it can't be much worse than the last two weeks.
Start Watkins as a WR3 for Week 5. Detroit's pass defense is the best in the NFL, but Watkins could still put up some numbers with Kyle Orton under center.
Week 4: Watkins vs Texans
After a strong Week 2, Sammy Watkins came back to earth last week. San Diego did a good job on him and that might be something the rookie has to work through early in his career.
The targets were still high (8), but the catch total fell to two. Against the Texans this week, Watkins numbers should be decent. His ribs are feeling better each week so that has become a non-factor.
For Week 4, start Watkins as a solid WR3 or flex. He is capable of big games like Week 2, so if you can find a lineup spot, get him in.
Week 3: Watkins vs Chargers
It didn't take long for Sammy Watkins to have the 'Wow' factor used to describe a game. He caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown and he looked good doing it. Don't forget, he was still nursing some bad ribs, but the production was there.
Watkins will face an average Chargers pass defense so some decent numbers could be coming again this week. He has worked his way up to a low-end WR2 for Week 3. Start him in all leagues, but don't expect the same numbers as last week.
Week 2: Watkins vs Dolphins
Sammy Watkins made his NFL debut and it was a quiet one. He had 3 catches for 31 yards and one catch was 25 yards. Not that anyone should read into this, but keep in mind rookie wide receivers can struggle their first year and also the quarterback who is throwing to him. Also, Watkins played with a rib injury during the game so that might have affected him.
This week, Watkins faces a pretty good Dolphins pass defense and even his ribs feel better, he is not a good play. Keep him on the bench for Week 2 as there are many better options out there.
