Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant working out for St. Louis Rams
Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins participates in a pass catching drill. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Clemson Tigers had one of the best wide receiver duos in the country last season in Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant, and both players are unsurprisingly touted prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft. While the LSU Tigers tandem of WR prospects is better (Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.), Watkins is the cream of the crop at the position and Bryant has plenty of upside. Both players probably won’t remain on the same team in the NFL, but it’s possible that we could see a team take Watkins in the top ten before snagging his partner in crime in the third roud.
That team could be the St. Louis Rams, though I’m not sure they would spend two high draft picks on wide receivers after taking Tavon Austin in the first last year and signing Kenny Britt this offseason. But Britt is a gamble, and it’s clear that the Rams need to find themselves a true No. 1 receiver. They have the second overall pick and could find themselves in a position to take Watkins even if they do trade down. If they aren’t able to find a trade partner, then Watkins makes plenty of sense second overall. Mike Evans is also in play for the Rams if they trade down, or they could simply address the WR position with the 13th pick and fill another need with their first first-round pick.
Why do I mention the Rams as a possibility to snag both Bryant and Watkins? FOX Sports’s Ross Jones reports that the Rams are working both players out at Clemson’s campus, and the GM, head coach, and offensive coordinator are all in attendance. Bryant has the kind of size/speed combination that gives him ridiculous upside, but the caveat is that he’s not the finished product and has below-average hands. It’s a deep wide receiver class, so the Rams would most likely take a wide receiver later if they take Watkins in the first. But if they surprise us and pass up on a top WR early, then Bryant could be an intriguing option later on.