3 free agents the Chiefs should avoid in the 2021 offseason
1. Sammy Watkins
It’s time for the Chiefs to let Watkins become someone else’s frustration. He’s a tantalizing talent who just can’t seem to put everything together at the NFL level. There will be a team willing to bet on him as a high-level starter in free agency. Kansas City should not overpay to keep him in the fold.
Watkins just doesn’t have significant upside left at the age of 28. Interested teams should evaluate him as the complementary receiver he’s been during the vast majority of his professional career. He may look like a borderline star at times, but his production just doesn’t live up to the hype.
There will still be a positive sheen on the former No. 4 overall pick when he hits free agency. He’s got the right combination of speed and size to produce on the outside as well as in the slot. Teams in need of wide receiver help will be attracted to that versatility.
Kansas City Chiefs 7-round mock draft. dark. Next
Watkins has been a valuable player for the Chiefs during his time in Kansas City, but his production has been overinflated by playing in Andy Reid’s offense. The team can acquire 80 percent of Watkins’ production for about 20 percent of the price on the open market. The front office needs to trust their system to produce stars rather than overpaying to keep a big name like Watkins in free agency.