Baltimore Ravens: Sammy Watkins is perfect for low-risk, high-reward

The Baltimore Ravens inked Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal and he’s the perfect low-risk, high-reward wide receiver they could use. 

As the Baltimore Ravens entered the offseason, one of the key areas of focus was aiding quarterback Lamar Jackson in his development. While he already has NFL MVP honors to his name, he needs help to take the next step as a passer. Namely, the Ravens needed to go out and add something to the wide receiver corps. Signing a player like Sammy Watkins is exactly what they needed.

On Friday, amid some blockbuster trades involving the 2021 NFL Draft, the Ravens agreed to a one-year deal with the former first-round pick with a contract that is worth up to $6 million.

Any fantasy football manager can attest to the fact that Watkins’ biggest issue throughout his career with both the Bills and Chiefs has been staying on the field. However, he’s been a dynamic big-play threat when on the field, averaging 14.5 yards per reception throughout his career.

Whichever team signed Watkins in free agency was always going to be taking a slight gamble on him being healthy, hence the short-term contract. However, the Ravens are actually in a low-risk, high-reward situation in bringing the wide receiver into the building.

Sammy Watkins could be a perfect fit with the Baltimore Ravens but it’s not the end of the world if he isn’t.

If he can stay healthy and on the field, Watkins could be perfect. He fits the mold of a downfield playmaker that Jackson and the Ravens like to utilize in the passing attack. Moreover, his veteran presence and frame allow him to fit even more ideally within the framework of what Baltimore likes to do and has in the fold.

More importantly, though, the Ravens aren’t putting all their chips into the Watkins basket. Not only is it a modest contract but they won’t be devastated if injuries once again crop up. Yes, they lost Willie Snead in free agency but, for the most part, the rest of the pass-catching corps remains intact.

Watkins coming in and staying healthy would simply be a bonus for the Ravens, especially if they are able to land a playmaker at wide receiver in the draft as well. That means they are either getting a weapon ideally suited for Jackson and their offense or they simply run back what they had with the addition of a young pass-catcher.

This is the type of savvy signing that can help the Ravens actually get over the hump. They are positioning themselves well to add a new element to the offense that will allow them to be more dynamic as Jackson continues to progress as a young quarterback.