Sammy Watkins could be on his way out of Buffalo sooner rather than later. In an interesting turn of events, the Buffalo Bills have decided to decline Watkins fifth-year option.
Is Sammy Watkins part of the Buffalo Bills future?
It doesn’t appear that the Bills are too enamored with their number one wide receiver. Buffalo will decline the fifth-year option on Watkins that will make him a free agent following the conclusion of this season.
The Buffalo Bills provided a press release of the news regarding Watkins.
The Buffalo Bills have declined to pick up Sammy Watkins' fifth-year option. pic.twitter.com/zS3xZT7tWt
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 2, 2017
The option, if picked up, would have been worth $13.26 million for the 2018 NFL season. A checkered injury history may have played a part in the Bills decision to pass on the option. Watkins has missed 11 games during his three-year tenure in Buffalo. The former fourth overall pick back in 2014 from Clemson is currently recovering from foot surgery. Watkins hasn’t played a full 16-game season since his rookie year.
The move to decline the option doesn’t necessarily mean the end for Watkins. If he has a successful 2017 campaign, the Bills could place the franchise tag on him after the season. The tag given to a wide receiver will be worth roughly $16 million.
Watkins, 23, has proven to be a productive player when healthy. His best season came in 2015 when he had 60 receptions for 1,047 yards and 9 touchdowns over the course of 13 games.
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Buffalo did cover its tracks at the receiver position drafting Zay Jones in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The East Carolina wideout is a really good player and is the NCAA all-time leader in receptions. Jones was a big standout at the Senior Bowl and proved he belongs in the NFL.
Jones will likely be a really nice complementary target next to Watkins in Buffalo and an under the radar fantasy option in 2017.