NFL free agency update: Chiefs sign Sammy Watkins
After spending one season with the Los Angeles Rams, former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins appears headed to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Very early on Tuesday morning, there was the report from numerous outlets that wide receiver Allen Robinson will be leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars for the Chicago Bears. ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported that the deal was worth three years and $42 million. Now head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs have taken another talented performer off the wideout free-agent market. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that talented Sammy Watkins has a new home as well.
The one-time Clemson University star, drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round in 2014 and then traded to the Los Angeles Rams less than a year ago, is apparently on the move once again.
It’s been an offseason of overhaul for the Chiefs. The club opened 5-0 this past season but dropped six of its final 11 games and was one-and-out in the playoffs. Hence, veteran quarterback Alex Smith was dealt to the Washington Redskins and will officially join his new team on Wednesday. Likewise cornerback Marcus Peters, sent to the Rams earlier via trade as well.
As for Watkins, he joins mercurial wide receiver Tyreek Hill and big-play tight end Travis Kelce on a new-looking passing attack featuring young quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The team traded up in the 2017 NFL draft to secure the services of the strong-armed prospect from Texas Tech. This quartet will make for quite the downfield quartet and should make the NFL’s seventh-ranked passing attack even more lethal this upcoming season.
Contract details
The four-year pro, who led the Rams with eight touchdown receptions this past season, has agreed to a reported three-year, $48 million contract to join the defending AFC West champions.
National reaction
Chiefs are building an offense to outscore people if they need to. I'm expecting a serious downfield attack. Watkins and Ty and torch you deep, safeties will have to play deep and that SHOULD help out the OL and run game. If Pat is the real deal, good luck stopping that.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 13, 2018
Fact is, Watkins has NEVER had a QB in the NFL that has consistently thrown him the long ball. Pat's arm talent is real and his downfield mentality is consistent. Chiefs are betting he'll go off this year if he can stay healthy, because the deep ball will be a weapon in KC
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 13, 2018
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Grade
The Kansas City Chiefs are determined to develop their deep passing attack and the addition of Watkins, teamed with Hill and Kelce, will give Mahomes a lot of opportunities to take advantage of his big arm. Health has been an issue for the talented wideout at times. But that impressive career 15.9 yards per reception and 25 TD grabs tells you all you need to know about what Reid is planning this season.
Grade: A-