RADIO
Sammy Watkins 2020 Outlook: Late Round, High Upside Target
5 years agoKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins enjoyed another mediocre and injury-riddled 2019 season in which he caught 52 balls for 673 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the pedestrian nature of this production, there is reason for optimism surrounding Watkins in 2020. Watkins resigned with the Superbowl champion Kansas City Chiefs this past offseason. In 2019, the veteran played 83.7% of snaps, ran routes on 85.4% of pass plays, and received 19.7% of the team target share. This volume of playing time on an offense as explosive as the Chiefs makes for intrigue in the fantasy game. Considering Watkins' early career production, electric 4.43 speed, and high pedigree, the former fourth overall pick exhibits massive upside in this Patrick Mahomes led offense. The Chiefs did nothing in the offseason to add to their wide receiving corps. While second-year receiver Mecole Hardman may take on an expanded role, Hardman profiles similarly to fellow burner Tyreek Hill. Hardman is likely to run a lot of the same deep routes as Hill and eat more into his targets, rather than Watkins's. Watkins's role as the Chiefs' No. 2 wide receiver grants him the upside of a No. 2 fantasy receiver. He is currently being drafted as the No. 55 wide receiver off the board in the NFFC. He should be treated as no more than a flex option, but fantasy owners do not face many downsides at his current price.
