WR Sammy Watkins - Kansas City Chiefs
| 6-1, 211 | Born: 6-14-1993 | College: Clemson | Drafted: Round 1, pick 2014 |
Main Career stats Game Logs Game Recaps Split Stats Play-by-play Latest News
Traditional view FanDuel view DraftKings view
News you need to know
From the upgrade/downgrade report (Mon Oct 15): Watkins was quiet even though the Chiefs scored 40 points. He wasn't getting open against a defense that was more concerned with Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. He's a boom/bust WR2/WR3, but another down week will cause us to lose trust.
Week 7: vs Cincinnati Bengals
FBG says: Great matchup. There hasn't yet been an antidote produced for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' dazzling pass game. The robust numbers are becoming commonplace: he's averaging 311 yards per game and has topped 300 in 5 straight. Along the way, he's completed 65% of his passes and thrown 14 touchdowns. The creative, cannon-armed Mahomes could hardly be matched with a more dynamic receiving corps. Tyreek Hill's blazing, versatile game was on full display last week, scorching the Patriots for three touchdowns of varying types and lengths. Travis Kelce is a walking mismatch in the slot and down the seams, far too powerful for defensive backs to shield from the ball. And Sammy Watkins is displaying the speed and elusiveness he once flashed in Buffalo. It's certainly possible to goad Mahomes into mistakes - he's thrown two interceptions in each of the last two games and had another dropped last Sunday night. But Andy Reid will take those miscues while his young passer is generating such dynamite. Mahomes is athletic, powerful, and ruthlessly aggressive, yet generally poised as he attacks tight defensive gaps. There's too much explosiveness in this unit to just project regression for the sake of it. The Bengals' defensive shortcomings have absolutely spread to their pass defense here in 2018. Through 6 games, they're allowing quarterbacks to complete over 66% of their throws and average 303 yards. Four of their opponents have notched 319 or more, and 3 have thrown multiple touchdowns. There's a dynamic pass rush in place here, as well as talented cover men, but the cohesiveness just hasn't been there. That has never been more apparent than on last week's final Steelers possession, on which JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown traded off chances to squeeze between the Bengals' poorly-patrolled zones for big plays. Even with cornerback William Jackson III blossoming into a star, unacceptable splash plays are becoming commonplace for this disappointing unit.
Recent Stats and Projections
| WEEK | OPP | oSNAP | RSH | YD | TD | TARG | REC | YD | TD | FumL | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | vs SF | 68 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 12.5 | |
| 4 | at DEN | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | vs JAX | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 7.8 | |
| 6 | at NE | 54 | 1 | -1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 | |
| 7 | vs CIN | PROJ-Dodds | * | 1 | * | * | 5 | * | * | * | * | |
| 7 | vs CIN | PROJ-Tremblay | * | 1 | * | * | 3 | * | * | * | * | |
| 7 | vs CIN | PROJ-Bloom | * | 1 | * | * | 4 | * | * | * | * |
Weekly Performance vs WR 1, WR 12, WR 24, WR 36
Percentile ranks
Sammy Watkins's percentile rank in each category, among WR with more than 50 fantasy points.
Recent Game Summaries
2018 Week 6 vs NE (4 / 2 / 18 / 0 rec, 1 / -1 / 0 rush)
Watkins caught two passes on four targets for 18 yards, while also rushing one time for a negative one yard gain. Watkins was largely silent through this game as the Chiefs struggled in the first half and Watkins was unable to secure both of his first half targets. He didn't enter the box score until a 15 yard catch late in the third quarter. Mahomes only attempted 36 passes, and the combination of Hunt and Hill made all the big plays, so Watkins meek output was more a case of him being overshadowed than anything that he did wrong. With the weapons that the Chiefs have on offense, this is bound to be the case on occasion, but Watkins should continue to be a top producer on one of, if not the best offense in football.
2018 Week 5 vs JAX (8 / 6 / 78 / 0 rec)
Watkins caught six passes for 78 yards on eight targets against the Jaguars on Sunday. After missing most of last week's game with a hamstring injury, Watkins returned against the Jaguars and looked very good against the Jaguars talented cornerbacks. Watkins long gain of the day came on a third and ten from the Jacksonville 43 yard line. Watkins lined up on the right side of the formation and ran an option route, where he had the choice of running a deep post to the sideline or settling in for a comeback route. Watkins ran his route to the outside as though he were running a post, but decided to break off his route when he saw there was no coverage in his vicinity. He settled into the soft spot in the zone and Mahomes delivered the ball after moving off the nearest defender to a shallow route by Hill, giving Watkins even more space to create after the catch. Watkins was able to gain another 15 or so yards after the catch and set up a first and goal for the Chiefs at the Jaguars 10 yard line.
2018 Week 4 vs DEN (1 / 0 / 0 / 0 rec)
Watkins caught zero passes on one target in this game before leaving the game with an injury. He was unable to return and the official word on his injury is that he is questionable to play in week five, although it does look good given the fact that he was able to practice on Wednesday.
2018 Week 3 vs SF (8 / 5 / 55 / 1 rec, 2 / 20 / 0 rush)
Watkins caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing two times for 20 yards. The Chiefs had a definite plan for Watkins when they signed him this off-season, and little by little you are starting to see why they added another high paid receiver to a group had as good a 1-2 punch at receiver and tight as any team in the league. Watkins and Hill are running similar routes in the short passing game, but Hill is seeing more routes down the field. Hill's deep routes in a way allow them to use each other--and Travis Kelce--to set up space for one another to make plays after the catch. Watkins receptions on the day were for nine, 12, nine, 15 and 10 yards. His touchdown catch showed off his run after the catch ability, and why the Chiefs want him to be a running back of sorts once he gets the ball in his hands, effectively displaying why he is running so many short, high percentage routes. Watkins lined up on the left side of the formation, Mahomes took the snap out of shotgun and hit Watkins perfectly in stride on a shallow slant route. Watkins made the catch and immediately made a quick move where he angled his run away from an oncoming defender. As quickly as he made that move, he made another one that angled his run down field toward the end zone. With a head of steam, Watkins hit several defenders at the three yard line, barreling through them and another defender at the one yard line to score a 12 yard touchdown.
2018 Week 2 vs PIT (7 / 6 / 100 / 0 rec, 1 / 31 / 0 rush)
Watkins caught five passes for 90 yards on seven targets, while also rushing once for 31 yards. Watkins was much more involved in the game plan this week than in week 1, and he made the most of his opportunities. Watkins saw passes in the short, intermediate and deep passing game, and was even given an end around, which he showed off his speed to the tune of a 31 yard gain that set up Hunt's touchdown reception. Watkins may be on his third team in three years, but he still has the deep speed and separation skills that made him a top receiving threat in Buffalo. This was on display early in the 1st quarter when the Steelers were playing one on one man coverage. With only one deep safety, and his defender giving him room off the line, Watkins timed his route so that he could come off the snap quickly and then throw a fake to the outside as his defender was closing in on him. Watkins gained separation easily after that and Mahomes threw him a lob pass along the sideline that went for a 40 yard gain and set up the Chiefs second touchdown.
2018 Week 1 vs LAC (5 / 3 / 21 / 0 rec)
In his Kansas City Chiefs debut, Sammy Watkins caught three passes on five targets for 21 yards. Much like the rest of the Chiefs offense, there was little need for Watkins to provide a spark, as Tyreek Hill did that all by his lonesome. Mahomes did target Watkins five times, and looked for him deep down the field on two occasions. Watkins longest catch of the day went for 16 yards up the middle of the field on a deep in-route. It was the kind of play that Watkins can make in his sleep, but it was also the type of play that the Chiefs were not getting with their previous #2 receivers. As defenses start to key in on Hill, Watkins will see plenty of single coverage. With his ability to make plays down the field, you will see Watkins splash for the Chiefs this season, it just may not be consistently with so many mouths to feed on offense.
Latest News
Chiefs | Sammy Watkins silent in Week 6 (Mon Oct 15, 01:23 AM) - Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins managed only two catches for 18 yards on four targets in Week 6 versus the New England Patriots. He also lost a yard on his only rushing attempt. link to story Chiefs | Sammy Watkins takes part in practice (Thu Oct 11, 06:10 PM) - Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) fully participated in practice Thursday, Oct. 11. Our View: We are so looking forward to the Chiefs/Patriots game on Sunday. Watkins played with this hamstring injury last week and should be considered a WR3/flex option for Fantasy GMs in Week 6.link to story Chiefs | Sammy Watkins full go Wednesday (Wed Oct 10, 05:41 PM) - Kansas City Chiefs Sammy Watkins (hamstring) put in a full practice Wednesday, Oct. 10. link to story Chiefs | Sammy Watkins has team-high six grabs (Sun Oct 7, 10:20 PM) - Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins was good for six receptions for 78 yards on eight targets in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. link to story Chiefs | Sammy Watkins will play (Sun Oct 7, 12:20 PM) - Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is officially active for the Week 5 game. link to story More News
Kansas City Chiefs Team Links
Depth Chart Season Stats Targets Red Zone Game LogsFootballguys Articles
Free Agency Roundtable: Sammy Watkins and Patrick MahomesPhil Alexander - March 25
Free Agency Roundtable: Butterfly Effects
Phil Alexander - April 4
2018 NFL Free Agency Winners and LosersAlessandro Miglio - March 25
8 Critical Fantasy Football Questions: NFC West - FootballguysChad Parsons - July 7
Amari Cooper is Safer Than You Think - FootballguysPhil Alexander - June 27
Dynasty Trade Value Chart: July - FootballguysDan Hindery - July 2
Dynasty Trade Value Chart: May - FootballguysDan Hindery - May 2
Fantasy Football Mock Draft Journey Part 1: Landscape Assessment - FootballguysChad Parsons - June 3
Know Your Leaguemates - FootballguysDave Larkin - June 3
Overvalued Players: Wide Receivers - FootballguysFBG Staff - June 21
Articles from around the web
Draft Strategy: Ignore the NarrativeRyan Melosi - May 30
Silva's Fantasy Top 150
Evan Silva - May 31
Derrick Henry among 2018 fantasy players to avoid
Marcas Grant - June 4
20 fantasy predictions with huge fallouts (if wrong)
Michael Fabiano - June 5
Panthers Fantasy Preview
Evan Silva - June 11
Alternate History: WRs
Raymond Summerlin - June 15
Preseason Preview: Receivers
David Dorey - June 18
2018 Fantasy Football - 10 Busts
Chet Gresham - June 20
Scoring, Drives and Plays
Rich Hribar - June 21
Which Wide Receivers Will Score Fewer Touchdowns in 2018?
Brandon Gdula - June 25
Schedule
| 7 | vs Cincinnati Bengals |
| 8 | vs Denver Broncos |
| 9 | @ Cleveland Browns |
| 10 | vs Arizona Cardinals |
| 11 | @ Los Angeles Rams |
| 12 | --- BYE WEEK --- |
| 13 | @ Oakland Raiders |
| 14 | vs Baltimore Ravens |
| 15 | vs Los Angeles Chargers |
| 16 | @ Seattle Seahawks |
| 17 | vs Oakland Raiders |
