Sammy Watkins visiting Buffalo Bills
Sammy Watkins participates in a pass catching drill during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills are taking a close look at the top wide receivers in the 2014 NFL Draft, as they have already hosted Odell Beckham Jr. and Mike Evans on pre-draft visits. Evans was a big-name visit yesterday and is regarded as the second-best wide receiver prospect in this year’s deep crop, but the Bills are hosting the best of the bunch on a visit today.
Per a source close to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Clemson Tigers product Sammy Watkins is visiting the Bills today, and the star wide receiver would be a pipe dream for the Bills with the ninth pick. The Detroit Lions have also hosted Watkins and have strong interest in him, but they would have to trade up if they want to snag Watkins. They already signed Golden Tate to a big contract to be a talented WR2 next to Calvin Johnson, so they are better off sticking with another great option like Evans or OBJ.
The Bills are pretty much in the same boat as the Lions, because they have a need to add another pass-catcher but don’t need to trade up to get one. They would also have to trade up if they want Watkins, and that’s not worth it for a team that already has Stevie Johnson, acquired Mike Williams this offseason, and drafted Robert Woods (and Marquise Goodwin) last year. If they want a talented pass-catcher to help E.J. Manuel out even more, then they should stay at nine and take Evans, OBJ, or uber-athletic TE prospect Eric Ebron. Watkins is worth taking a close look at on a pre-draft visit, but there’s an extremely slim chance that the Bills end up with him.