Random question: Sammy Watkins v. Dez

[perrykemp]

Who knows... it sure is fun to speculate. WRs are the NFL-fan equivalent of shiny toys that children are attracted to in the toy store.

The interesting reality is that WRs, assuming a team had at least 'average' ones or better impact a team's success not nearly as much as you would think.

The difference between 'good' WRs and 'great / top echelon' WRs in terms of their impact on team wins/losses has always seemed pretty small to me. Of course that's just my completely unscientific view of it.

 

[casmith07]

There are five to six 'rooks' that have perked my interest this season. Evans and Cooks are two more.

Dri Archer and De'Anthony Thomas look to be home run hitters as well.

I will add this, though - keep an eye on those Buffalo Bills. Good defense there in Buffalo and Sammy Watkins is going to be huge for EJ Manuel's development. Manuel already throws a really pretty deep ball. If he can continue is development in reading NFL defenses, the Bills could be among the class of the AFC in a few short seasons.

 

[CCBoy]

Dri Archer and De'Anthony Thomas look to be home run hitters as well.

I will add this, though - keep an eye on those Buffalo Bills. Good defense there in Buffalo and Sammy Watkins is going to be huge for EJ Manuel's development. Manuel already throws a really pretty deep ball. If he can continue is development in reading NFL defenses, the Bills could be among the class of the AFC in a few short seasons.

Oh, Buffalo's outside defense has a posted sign, 'No Tresspassing!'

 

[Future]

I've been in western NY for a month and have a close friend who officiates the Bills training camp and he tells me if you didn't know one single player and watched a Bills practice you would say he's the best player on the field. His problem is having a QB to get him the ball. I still think I give Dez the nod for his size.

I've gone to Bills camp twice and he looks really good. While I agree than Manuel still pretty much sucks, he's actually pretty QB friendly because he can take short, high percentage throws and turn them into good gains.

The Bills WR corps as a whole is one giant question mark. There are like 4 guys who could end up being the #2 opposite Sammy. Mike Williams, Robert Woods (who I actually think will be their best WR this year), and Chris Hogan have all been getting looks.

 

[AsthmaField]

Dez is just so strong and he has such natural hands. He's pretty rare in several ways including his game speed with pads.

Watkins might have hands close to as good as Dez, but I don't think he will ever be the physical specimen that Dez is.

I like Watkins a lot, but Dez is pretty phenomenal, so I think it will be a while if he ever gets close to Dez.

 

[Future]

I will add this, though - keep an eye on those Buffalo Bills. Good defense there in Buffalo and Sammy Watkins is going to be huge for EJ Manuel's development. Manuel already throws a really pretty deep ball. If he can continue is development in reading NFL defenses, the Bills could be among the class of the AFC in a few short seasons.

That defense sucks. For all the attn. their defensive line - and Kiko Alonso who is hurt - got last year, they were 28th in rush defense...worse than Dallas who was 27th. That's pathetic.

While I guess it's possible that they are a good team in a couple of years, what's more realistic, I think, is that they go like 5-11 this year and the new ownership regime cleans house...including getting rid of Marrone and Manuel. The Watkins pick was not about building for the future, it was about this group - coaches and administration - putting all of their eggs in the Manuel basket, so to speak, and hoping that it helps them keep their jobs next year.

 

[dogunwo]

Sammy is going to be something special. I see him leaving for a better QB situation though if the Bills don't get it together. Dez is and will be the better WR in the end.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Will Sammy Watkins be a better WR than Dez??

A crystal ball can't even answer that.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I'm a Carolina fan and watched Watkins at Clemson his entire career and actually hung out with him a few times - good friends with their punter Spencer Benton, that actually had a cup of tea with us last year.

Sammy has the 'it' factor that Dez had. Natural receiver, all the physical tools, great in space and that second gear to take it the distance.

Without saying too much, he does like to party a bit and what he got away with in Clemson, won't fly in the NFL.

 

[CCBoy]

That defense sucks. For all the attn. their defensive line - and Kiko Alonso who is hurt - got last year, they were 28th in rush defense...worse than Dallas who was 27th. That's pathetic.

While I guess it's possible that they are a good team in a couple of years, what's more realistic, I think, is that they go like 5-11 this year and the new ownership regime cleans house...including getting rid of Marrone and Manuel. The Watkins pick was not about building for the future, it was about this group - coaches and administration - putting all of their eggs in the Manuel basket, so to speak, and hoping that it helps them keep their jobs next year.

Do a cross comparison of where Buffalo's defense is projected now, and that of Dallas. Not similar at all...and I think Dallas is on their way back up.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Watkins doesn't look like anything special to me.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Watkins doesn't look like anything special to me.

Playing in Buffalo will do that to ya.

 

[Aven8]

History says no.

Peter Warrick, David Terrell, R. Jay Soward, Yatil Green, Reggie Williams, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Michael Crabtree.....

Lot of big name recievers fall flat in the NFL.

Not so sure I would put Crabs on that list. He's done quite well considering hes never had a real QB, plus the injuries.

 

[Fletch]

He's got a lot of catching up to do that's for sure, because Dez is off to a helluva start.

A lot depends on who is throwing the ball. Dez has the luxury of a Tony Romo. Sammy has E.J. You do the math.

 

[SHAMSzy]

The better question is would you trade Dez for Watkins? I wouldn't.

 

[IAmLegend]

He has the talent to be, but I doubt it. A lot depends on longevity, QB play, offensive system, etc.

There's no denying his electrifying talent though. I think he'll be one of the best in the league soon, but to have a better career than Dez will be tough imo.

 

[joseephuss]

History says no.

Peter Warrick, David Terrell, R. Jay Soward, Yatil Green, Reggie Williams, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Michael Crabtree.....

Lot of big name recievers fall flat in the NFL.

Yep, lots of receivers don't turn out to be as good as they were in college. I give Watkins more of a chance at being successful in the NFL than most of those guys you listed. I wasn't enamored with them when they were turning pros. Although I don't think Crabtree has fallen flat. He was getting better every season until get injured and missing most of last year.

 

[mmohican29]

History says no.

Peter Warrick, David Terrell, R. Jay Soward, Yatil Green, Reggie Williams, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Michael Crabtree.....

Lot of big name recievers fall flat in the NFL.

I hate the Niners, but Crabtree is nowhere near a bust. Especially listed amongst those names.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Does the team get extra points if Dez is better?

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Watkins doesn't look like anything special to me.

LOL