Green Bay Packers Hosting Free Agent WR Sammy Watkins

In need of some serious wide receiver help, in addition to the draft, the Green Bay Packers could turn to free agency, which would provide the offense with a needed veteran presence at the position.

There are several potential candidates who remain unsigned, but according to Mike Garafolo, the Green Bay Packers are hosting veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins, although at this time, there is no deal in place.

Given his experience, Watkins’ would likely command more than a veteran minimum deal, but I have to imagine it would still be relatively inexpensive with his injury history. The Packers currently have $14.99 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, and for what it’s worth, in 2021, Watkins earned $5 million.

Watkins was the fourth overall pick by Buffalo in the 2014 draft and the Packers did have reported interest in him during the 2018 free agency period as well. His best season came during his second year when he eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark—however, he has failed to do so since then.

Watkins next best season came with Kansas City in 2019 when he hauled in 961 yards on 66 receptions. For his career, Watkins has caught 62% of his passes at 14.9 yards per catch with 35 touchdowns.

The biggest issue for him has been staying on the field. Watkins has only appeared all 16 games just once in his career and that came during his rookie season. More recently, he has played in only 23 games the last two seasons and hasn’t played in more than 10 games in three of the last four years.

If signed, Watkins isn’t going to be the sole answer when it comes to solving the Green Bay Packers massive void at wide receiver, but rather he’s a piece of the puzzle.

His veteran presence would provide Aaron Rodgers with another steady pass-catching option to lean on as any rookie(s) get acclimated to the NFL level—not to mention that we know that it may take some time for Rodgers and any young receivers to get on the same page.

Watkins would also provide a much-needed boundary target who can create, something that this offense is lacking at receiver. On 27 catches with the Ravens in 2021, Watkins still averaged nearly 15 yards per catch per PFF ($$).

It’s also worth mentioning that Watkins does have experience in the LaFleur offense, spending 2017 with him and Sean McVay in Los Angeles, where he averaged 15.2 yards per catch with eight touchdowns.

In no way should this potential addition change how the Green Bay Packers go about the draft at the receiver position, but it could provide them with a little added flexibility.

UPDATE: According to Adam Schefter, the Packers have signed Watkins to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.