In the days leading up to the free agency period, there has been much uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Sammy Watkins’ future with the Los Angeles Rams. There is a strong sense from the organization that there will be a strong push to retain his services.
However, the team could have a tough time bringing him back with the expected interest he will draw in the open market. According to Vincent Bonsignore of the LA Daily News, the 24-year-old looks to be in line to have a few “competitive” offers presented his way:
FYI on #Rams FA WR Sammy Watkins: Hearing his market is "Competitive"
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 13, 2018
Watkins is set to be one of the top wide receivers available in free agency alongside former Pro Bowl wideout Allen Robinson. There are several other teams aside from the Rams that will likely be in contact with him such as the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
He is coming off his first season with Los Angeles where he posted 39 catches for 593 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Although this was a notable drop in production, Watkins demonstrated his big-play ability while finally showing durability playing in 15 games in the regular season. His only missed contest came in the in the season finale due to the team opting to rest its key players ahead of the playoffs.
Watkins is a vastly talented player at his position and has shown in his career that he can excel as the No.1 receiving option in the passing game. That said, he is in line to attract some lucrative offers on the open market that could push him to garner a contract that will pay him as one of the highest-paid players at his position.
As a result, the price tag out may be a bit too steep for the Rams to spend on him. At this point, it is a wait-and-see situation for Watkins and Los Angeles for the type of market he will have in the coming days once the free agency period begins.
