Stop calling Sammy Watkins a stud

[Cameron Giles]

I guess I am surprised that people aren't more down on this for Watkins than what has been posted. The first thing that went through my head as a Watkins owner when I saw this was a four letter word. If healthy I thought Watkins had WR6-10 written all over him for this year... now not so sure.

Also, I need to make a decision on McCoy. What do we think this does to his value?

In terms of getting the most out of his talent, I think Watkins is in a GREAT situation with Sean McVay. His system has been awesome for players who can get open quickly like DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. Watkins is a better route runner than both. It's just too bad that Kirk Cousins isn't at QB and Jared Goff is. Maybe Goff improves, but as you said, Watkins definitely become more of a risk than a certainty after this trade because of Goff.

[Cameron Giles]

Rams: Sammy, Woods and Tavon (Tavon the obvious choice for slot)

Kupp will start over Austin. Put me on record.

That the Rams were even trying to make Austin an outside-receiver is itself the red-flag that McVay doesn't really want him. Kupp has been awesome all offseason in training with the Rams and dueling directly with Trumaine Johnson, while Austin has been sidelined. Writing is on the wall.

The Tavon Austin contract extension was awful at the time and even worse now. I don't know how Les Snead still has a job. He has a $14M cap hit this season with $19M in dead money. The Rams guaranteed $28.5 million for a WR who's career high in yards is 509.

They can't release him without dead money until 2019. So, I think he'll still play but it'll have to be in the slot.

[Friction]

I guess I am surprised that people aren't more down on this for Watkins than what has been posted. The first thing that went through my head as a Watkins owner when I saw this was a four letter word. If healthy I thought Watkins had WR6-10 written all over him for this year... now not so sure.

Also, I need to make a decision on McCoy. What do we think this does to his value?

Mccoy had a great year last year without Sammy. I think his combo of age and decent risk of missing a couple games, limits his ceiling. Having a mobile qb and a prettt good line along with his receiving chops gives hkm a good floor. Gilislee poached a decent amount more than I think Williams will out of the gate too. Just a hunch on that and maybe teams really do figure out a way to force Buffalo to throw, but their receivers are better with JMatt, Q, and Zay compared to Woods, Goodwin, and whoever.

[Kurt G.O.A.T.]

after reading through this thread i'm starting to think alot of you still think fisher is the hc and boras is the oc for the rams. throw everything you saw from last season out the window. worst offense in the history of the nfl. worst coaches in the nfl. just blot it out.

[cweds]

As a Watkins owner my gut reaction was but I dug into the numbers a little bit and I think it's a fine situation. In Britt's 5 full games with Goff at QB (week 10-14) he averaged 58.8 Y/G and 0.4 TD/G. Paced for a 16 game season that would work out to 941 yards and 6 TD's. This would be a disappointing season for Watkins but I think we can agree he's a lot more talented than Britt.

Between the talent gap, new coaching staff, O-line/skill position additions and (hopefully some) improvement from Goff I don't think a ~1200 and ~7 TD season is out of question at all. Maybe it's a more gradual "breakout" but I still see the potential for stud status.

[jcc6fd]

after reading through this thread i'm starting to think alot of you still think fisher is the hc and boras is the oc for the rams. throw everything you saw from last season out the window. worst offense in the history of the nfl. worst coaches in the nfl. just blot it out.

My gut says their pessimism really stems from thinking Goff is still the QB.

[jcc6fd]

As a Watkins owner my gut reaction was but I dug into the numbers a little bit and I think it's a fine situation. In Britt's 5 full games with Goff at QB (week 10-14) he averaged 58.8 Y/G and 0.4 TD/G. Paced for a 16 game season that would work out to 941 yards and 6 TD's. This would be a disappointing season for Watkins but I think we can agree he's a lot more talented than Britt.

Between the talent gap, new coaching staff, O-line/skill position additions and (hopefully some) improvement from Goff I don't think a ~1200 and ~7 TD season is out of question at all. Maybe it's a more gradual "breakout" but I still see the potential for stud status.

Good post and solid predictions. His situation is only a minor downgrade IMO. This is only a distraction from what should be people's biggest concern with Watkins: injuries.

[ninotoreS]

It hinges on Goff and the O-line. If he can actually look more like the guy on his college film this year, as opposed to the confidence-bereft, terrified rookie he looked like last year, this trade will be an upgrade for Watkins by '18. Assuming he can stay healthy. Which is an issue with Sammy regardless of where he's playing.

I thought Cousins was a waste of time for Washington back in '14. He consistently made bad decisions, and was inaccurate. Then McVay turned Cousins into a guy getting franchise-tagged two consecutive off-seasons. Cousins was a lot less talented coming out of college than Goff, so there's reason for cautious optimism.

Pieces are in place for this Rams offense to transform. Aside from Watkins and Gurley, Kupp could be legitimately special, and the TE tandem of Everett/Higbee has promise. If the Rams can get their O-line respectable, and remind Goff that he's supposed to be a 1.1 draft pick, this is a young nucleus on offense that can be good for a long time.

To compare Sammy to Garcon, DJax to Tavon, and Crowder to Kupp, is insulting to each of them. The only thing that any of those pairs have in common are their position.

Only the Jackson to Tavon comparison is insulting, actually.

Regardless, Watkins will be playing the DeSean role in McVay's offense. McVay's said so himself.

And throw shade at Cooper Kupp at your peril.

[theone]

The main reason I am not significantly downgrading Watkins this season is his likely increased target load. It is much higher with the Rams than was ever going to be possible in BUF with Tyrod as the QB. Long term outlook does not really change given his contract.

[Kurt G.O.A.T.]

after reading through this thread i'm starting to think alot of you still think fisher is the hc and boras is the oc for the rams. throw everything you saw from last season out the window. worst offense in the history of the nfl. worst coaches in the nfl. just blot it out.

My gut says their pessimism really stems from thinking Goff is still the QB.

what they should be thinking is goff's only coaching at nfl level last season came from jeff fisher, rob boras and chris weinke. in an offense created by rob boras under the watchful eyes of jeff fisher. an offense apparently so difficult to learn yet so easy to predict for opposing dcs.

what did they think was gonna happen?

.

[Igwebuike 4 Prez]

Watkins is joining the Rams less than a month before the start of the season. Since the starters aren't likely to play much, if at all in the last preseason game, he has 2 games to get on the same page with Goff WITH a rebuilt o-line.

The guy is too talented not to flash big play ability but you have to be operating on more hope than reality not to downgrade him at least some.

[pjoner]

I received an offer of Crowder and a 2018 1st for my Watkins share, does not feel like enough...

Owner has Pryor as well, I was considering countering Pryor and a first...

Thoughts?

[Valhalla]

If I could get Pryor and a 1st for Sammy I'd be all over that

[A-train]

I got offered Blount and Moncrief for Watkins but I'm not a fan of either of those players.

[PingPwng]

I got offered Blount and Moncrief for Watkins but I'm not a fan of either of those players.

Terrible offer in the first place.