 Watkins with the Buffalo Bills in 2015 | |||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
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| Born: | (1993-06-14)June 14, 1993 (age 31) Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 211 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | South Fort Myers | ||||||||
| College: | Clemson (2011–2013) | ||||||||
| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2014: 1st round, 4th pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Sammy Watkins (born June 14, 1993) is an American professionalfootballwide receiver. He playedcollege football for theClemson Tigers, twice earning first-teamAll-American honors. Watkins was selected by theBuffalo Bills fourth overall in the2014 NFL draft. He has also played for theLos Angeles Rams,Kansas City Chiefs,Baltimore Ravens, andGreen Bay Packers. Watkins became aSuper Bowl champion as a member of the Chiefs.
Watkins attendedSouth Fort Myers High School inFort Myers, Florida, where he was aletterman infootball,basketball andtrack & field.[1][2] He became the all-time leading receiver in the history ofLee County with 133 catches for 2,997 yards and 36touchdowns during his career. As a sophomore, he had 33receptions for 537 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his junior and senior years, he was a first-team all-state selection. In his junior year, he added 46 catches for 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a senior, Watkins had eight 100-yard receiving games on the season, accumulating totals of 54 catches for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led an undefeatedSouth Fort Myers team into the 3A state semi-finals, where they lost 44–28 to aDuke Johnson-ledMiami Norland team.[3] He played in the 2011U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[4]
In addition to football, Watkins ran track & field for the Wolfpack, where he was one of the state's top performers in the sprinting events. As a junior, he finished fifth in the100 meters and sixth in the200 meters at the state meet. As a senior, he captured the AA state title in the 200 meters, with a PR of 21.11 seconds.[5] He also won the 100 meters at the 2011 Tarpon Invitational, recording a personal-best time of 10.45 seconds.[6]
Watkins was a highly touted recruit before the 2011college football season.[7] Regarded as a five-star recruit byRivals.com, he was rated the third-bestwide receiver prospect in the nation, behind onlyGeorge Farmer and Trey Metoyer.[8] He was ranked fifth best byScout.com.[9] Watkins committed toClemson University in November 2010.[10] Recruited by dozens of schools, he chose Clemson over offers fromFlorida,Florida State,Miami (FL),Michigan, andTennessee.[11]
Even though he didn't take part in spring practice, Watkins made an immediate impact for Clemson in his freshman season in2011.[11] He caught 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first collegiate season, including 10 catches, 155 yards and two touchdowns against the defending national championAuburn Tigers.[12] He led the nation in reception yards per game,all-purpose yards and touchdowns.[13] He also broke 11 school freshman records seven games into the season, including total all-purpose yards previously held byC. J. Spiller.[13] Watkins was anAssociated Press first-teamAll-American, becoming only the fourth ever true freshman to do so, joiningHerschel Walker,Marshall Faulk andAdrian Peterson.[14] He was also named a Freshman All-American by theFootball Writers Association of America.[15]
As a sophomore in 2012, he had 57 receptions for 708 yards and three touchdowns.[16] As a junior, he had 101 receptions for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns.[17] He was theMVP of the2014 Orange Bowl after setting an Orange Bowl record with 16 receptions for 227 yards against theOhio State Buckeyes.[18][19][20] He also set the school record for career receptions in the game finishing with 240.[21]
In January 2014, Watkins announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the2014 NFL draft.[22]
| Season | Team | GP | Receiving | Rushing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2011 | Clemson | 13 | 82 | 1,219 | 14.9 | 12 | 32 | 231 | 7.2 | 0 |
| 2012 | Clemson | 10 | 57 | 708 | 12.4 | 3 | 14 | 97 | 6.9 | 1 |
| 2013 | Clemson | 13 | 101 | 1,464 | 14.5 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 1.8 | 0 |
| Career | 36 | 240 | 3,391 | 14.1 | 27 | 52 | 339 | 6.5 | 1 | |
| Source:sports-reference.com | ||||||||||
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft0+3⁄4 in (1.85 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | 32 in (0.81 m) | 9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.43 s | 1.54 s | 2.52 s | 4.34 s | 6.95 s | 34 in (0.86 m) | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) | 16 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[23] | ||||||||||||
Watkins was selected by theBuffalo Bills in the first round as the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.[24] Cleveland traded this selection to Buffalo in exchange for Buffalo's 2014 first round selection (the 9th pick, later traded by Cleveland to Minnesota, who used it to select UCLA linebackerAnthony Barr), and their first and fourth round selections in 2015 (19thCameron Erving C & 115thIbraheim Campbell S)[25] He was the first wide receiver selected by the Bills in the first round sinceLee Evans in 2004, and the earliest wide receiver selected in the draft sinceA. J. Green in 2011.[26]
On May 28, 2014, Watkins signed his rookie contract, a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $19.94 million, with a $12.8 million signing bonus.[27] He caught his first career touchdown reception fromEJ Manuel in a Week 2 29–10 victory over theMiami Dolphins.[28] In Week 7 against theMinnesota Vikings, Watkins caught nine passes for 122 yards for two touchdowns. His second touchdown was the game winner coming with one second remaining in the game.[29]
Watkins finished his season setting a new Bills rookie record in both receptions (65) and receiving yards (982).[30] In addition to his rookie records, Watkins caught six touchdown passes.[31]
Through the first five games of the 2015 season, Watkins (who played in only three of the games because of a calf injury) had just seven catches for 99 yards. He voiced his frustration before game 6, saying "You came up to draft me and I'm not getting targets – that's a problem. You're making me look bad and you're making yourself look bad.... "Why not make both of us look good?"[32]
On October 27, 2015, frustrated with hissocial media followers for leaving angry comments about him missing three games due to injury, Watkins took to hisInstagram and lashed out at critical fans. In a comment which Watkins later deleted, he told the fans to "get a life and go to work" and "continue working y'all little jobs for the rest of y'all lives".[33] This caused an uproar with many Bills fans.[34] Watkins followed up, with a clarification posted onTwitter stating, "Message wasn't for fans (but) for whomever have a problem with athletes being injured."[33] Watkins later posted another Instagram photo addressing the situation, saying his comments were "inappropriate" and acknowledged that a majority of the negative comments were from other fans and not Bills fans.[35]
Playing on an injured ankle that had kept him out of a Friday practice, Watkins had a career-high 168 receiving yards on eight catches with one touchdown in a Week 9 33–17 victory over the Dolphins.[36]
In his first seven games of the season, he caught only 25 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns, while only having one 100-yard receiving game. In his final six games, however, he had 679 receiving yards on 35 catches (19.4 yards per catch), six touchdowns, and four 100-yard receiving games. He also had at least 80 yards receiving in all six games. With his late season push, Watkins finished the season with 60 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns receptions. He recorded five 100-yard receiving games and set his career-high in receiving yards and touchdowns.[37] However, the Bills finished the season 8–8 and did not make the playoffs.[38] He was ranked 96th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[39]
On May 16, 2016, it was reported that Watkins had broken a small bone in his foot. Watkins had a screw inserted in his foot, and the Bills medical staff was hopeful that would be ready fortraining camp.[40] On September 30, 2016, he was placed oninjured reserve.[41] He was activated off injured reserve on November 26, 2016, prior to Week 12.[42] Watkins finished the 2016 season with 28 receptions for 430 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[43]
On May 2, 2017, the Bills declined Watkins' fifth-year option.[44]
On August 11, 2017, Watkins, along with a 2018 sixth-round draft pick, was traded to theLos Angeles Rams in exchange forE. J. Gaines and a 2018 second round draft pick.[45] Watkins recorded his first touchdown of the season with 106 yards against theSan Francisco 49ers in Week 3 with a stunning catch for the Rams 41–39 victory.[46] In Week 9, Watkins caught a season-long 67-yard reception fromJared Goff that resulted in a touchdown as part of the 51–17 blowout win by the Rams over theNew York Giants.[47] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 39 receptions for 593 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.[48]
On March 15, 2018, Watkins signed a three-year, $48 million contract with theKansas City Chiefs.[49][50] In the 2018 season opener, he recorded three receptions for 21 yards in his Chiefs debut against theLos Angeles Chargers.[51] He recorded six receptions for 100 yards in the following game against thePittsburgh Steelers.[52] In Week 8, against theDenver Broncos, he had eight receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns.[53] He finished the 2018 season with 40 receptions for 519 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[54] In theDivisional Round victory over theIndianapolis Colts, he had six receptions for 62 yards.[55] In theAFC Championship overtime loss to theNew England Patriots, he had four receptions for 114 yards.[56]
On September 8, 2019, Watkins recorded nine receptions for a career-high 198 yards and three touchdowns against theJacksonville Jaguars as the Chiefs won 40–26 in Week 1.[57] For the remainder of the regular season, Watkins averaged 36.5 receiving yards per game and had no touchdowns. Overall, in 14 games, Watkins finished the 2019 season with 52 receptions for 673 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[58] In the AFC Championship against theTennessee Titans, he had seven receptions for 114 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the 35–24 victory.[59] InSuper Bowl LIV against the 49ers, Watkins caught five passes for 98 yards, including a 38-yard catch on what proved to be the game-winning drive, during the 31–20 win.[60]
In Week 16 against theAtlanta Falcons, Watkins threw aninterception to safetyKeanu Neal on atrick play during the 17–14 win.[61] Watkins finished the 2020 season with 37 receptions for 421 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[62]
On April 2, 2021, Watkins signed a one-year, $6 million contract with theBaltimore Ravens.[63][64] His best game of the season came in Week 1 when he had four receptions for 96 yards in a 33–27 overtime loss to theLas Vegas Raiders.[65] He missed Weeks 6–10 during the season due to injury. He scored his only touchdown during a Week 13 20–19 loss to the Steelers.[66] The touchdown reception would be his final catch of the season. He missed the Week 15 game against theGreen Bay Packers due to being placed in the COVID-19 protocol.[67] He finished the year with 27 receptions for 394 yards and a touchdown.[68]
On April 14, 2022, Watkins signed a one-year $4 million contract with the Packers.[69] On September 24, 2022, Watkins was placed on injured reserve with ahamstring injury.[70] He was activated off injured reserve on October 22.[71] He was released on December 19, 2022.[72]
On December 20, 2022, Watkins was claimed off waivers by the Ravens following the loss ofDevin Duvernay.[73]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2014 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 65 | 982 | 15.1 | 84 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | BUF | 13 | 13 | 60 | 1,047 | 17.5 | 63 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | BUF | 8 | 8 | 28 | 430 | 15.4 | 62 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | LAR | 15 | 14 | 39 | 593 | 15.2 | 67 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 10 | 9 | 40 | 519 | 13.0 | 50 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | KC | 14 | 13 | 52 | 673 | 12.9 | 68T | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020 | KC | 10 | 9 | 37 | 421 | 11.4 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | BAL | 13 | 9 | 27 | 394 | 14.6 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | GB | 9 | 3 | 13 | 206 | 15.8 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BAL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 119 | 39.7 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Career | 111 | 96 | 364 | 5,384 | 14.8 | 84 | 34 | 7 | 5 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2017 | LAR | 1 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 23.0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 2 | 2 | 10 | 176 | 17.6 | 54 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | KC | 3 | 3 | 14 | 288 | 20.6 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | KC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | BAL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 8 | 7 | 27 | 512 | 19.0 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
In a pre-draft interview, Watkins said that his favorite football team as a child was the Buffalo Bills.[74] In May 2012, Watkins was arrested by Clemson campus police for possession of marijuana.[2] He was also found to have one pill each ofVyvanse andAdderall and charged with possession of a controlled substance. As a result, Watkins was suspended for the first two games of the 2012–2013 season.[75] Watkins completed pre-trial intervention and had the charge expunged from his record.
His older half brother,Jaylen Watkins, is a formerdefensive back.[76] Both Sammy and Jaylen were selected in the2014 NFL draft, 97 picks apart. He has three daughters.[77] Watkins is also the cousin of fellow wide receiver,Austin Watkins Jr.[78]
On July 11, 2014, Watkins was awarded the Key to the City of Fort Myers, the town in which he grew up.[79]
In September 2017, Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times reported that Watkins believes theEarth is flat.[80]
In a May 2020 interview withBleacher Report, Watkins opened up about his struggles with mental health and addiction throughout his career, in addition to his spiritual beliefs.[81]
