Height/Weight: 6-1/2013
Wide Receiver
Clemson
The Clemson Tigers have been blessed with one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the nation, but they will be losing him to the NFL this year. Watkins is coming off of a season in which he caught 85 passes for a total of 1,237 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers average out to a 14.6 yards per catch average, which will make a nice addition to any team in the NFL. Most mock drafts have him going as high as second overall to the St. Louis Rams, and others have him falling out of the top then.
Strengths
- Quick cutting and ability to run smooth routes without losing speed
- Good power and strength
- Above average deep threat and great acceleration to reach top speed
- Very versatile, can help in return game and rushing
- Extremely dangerous player in the open field
- Great catch radius and is able to go up and catch the football above defenses
- Very good hands and won’t drop many passes
Weaknesses
- Can struggle against press defense at times
- Has a tendency to get sloppy on his route running
- Has had off the field issues in the past, and was suspended in two games in 2012 season
Overall, Sammy Watkins is expected to be on of the best playmakers in this draft. He has the ability to change games with his explosiveness and ability to make people miss in the open field, and will be a huge addition for any team that needs wide receiver help. The off the field concerns are certainly something that teams will have to look at, but he seems to have moved on from that time of his life.
Watkins will be the first wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft and rightfully so. Whoever decides to take the chance to draft him will not be disappointed.
Evan Massey is a Staff Writer for The Inscriber. Follow Evan on Twitter at @Massey_Evan.