Buffalo Bills star wide receiver Sammy Watkins is a top “Rookie of the Year” candidate, and I would be very surprised if he doesn’t sew up the award. He’s been as scintillating as expected in his first season with the team, and he’s making Doug Whaley and the Bills look wise after their controversial decision to trade up for him. Watkins is already blossoming into one of the top receivers in the game, and the team’s decision to give up on E.J. Manuel and start veteran Kyle Orton has definitely helped Watkins out.
BuffaLowDown
Per league sources close to CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora, Watkins played through broken ribs during September, and his recent surge in play isn’t a coincidence; he’s also been feeling much healthier and has been able to make those trademark plays. There are other factors involved in Watkins’s incredible performances, including his own development and Orton’s better play at QB, but the rib injury has definitely played a role, too.
So far this season, Sammy Watkins has caught 38 passes for 590 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a hefty 15.5 yards per reception. He’s everything we thought he would be when we drooled over him as a prospect, as he can win at the catch point despite his smaller size, he can line up anywhere on the field, he can win deep, he can beat you in the end zone, he can beat you on short routes after the catch, and he understands all the nuances in the game. Watkins is the real deal, and he’s already a top-notch, No. 1 WR.