Chicago Bears: Top 5 wide receiver targets in 2018 NFL Free Agency
Sammy Watkins (6-1, 212 pounds)
Sammy Watkins is another playmaking receiver. He has a knack for finding the end zone. His 25 touchdowns are three more than Allen Robinson.
Watkins gives the Bears a speedy, deep threat. Additionally, he makes the catches he needs to make and some he shouldn’t be able to make. At this point, he hasn’t shown to be a number one receiver, but a dependable one. He only had 39 catches for 593 yards but reached the end zone 8 times. The Bears desperately need receivers who get to the end zone.
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Watkins has the ability to break free from defenders not only with his speed but also with his agility and route-running. It’d be nice for Trubisky to throw to some open receivers for a change.
Part of the reason why Watkins didn’t have many receptions was because of the double-teams he faced. The attention he garners opens things up for other receivers. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp saw a lot more passes because of Watkins. In 2017, with the Bears lacking a deep threat, defenses could pack it in underneath, play one-on-one, and made it difficult to find open receivers.
The Los Angeles Rams want Watkins back, but they also have the Aaron Donald situation. Donald is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and the number one priority for the team. They could use the franchise tag, but that means dishing out about $15.4 million or so.
If Watkins is available, the Bears should take a long look at him.