Sammy Watkins, WR Buffalo Bills Rookie Fantasy Spotlight
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Sammy Watkins, out of Clemson, is the most electric rookie wide receiver we have ever scouted.

His skills and physicaltiy are some type of mix between Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. He was a completely different animal than we’d ever seen live inside the NFL Scouting Combine.

However, as we told RosterWatch Nation on the heels of the NFL Draft- to the chagrin of the #BillsMafia (RIP to our Twitter mentions)- “We love the fit for Buffalo, but hate the fit for Watkins”.

It’s an offensive conundrum in chilly, windy upstate New York with second year quarterback EJ Manuel at the helm – especially at the receiver position. At best, it’s an unpredictable situation. We’ve been told by Bills insiders that Robert Woods is the fantasy receiver to own in Buffalo this year, and we believe it.

Due to his transcendent talent, Watkins will be overdrafted in dynasty and redraft leagues as a rookie. If he’d have landed in New Orleans, like Brandin Cooks, Watkins would have been a no-brainer as the #1 overall rookie. Instead he landed in the polar opposite – Buffalo.

Obviously, Watkins is still a must-own based on a long-term outlook in dynasty leagues. In redraft rankings Watkins won’t crack our Top 3 rookies. There is even an argument Odell Beckham and Jordan Matthews should both be considered over Watkins. We’d like to draft Sammy as a WR4 with WR3 upside.

The caveat for higher upside, is if Buffalo is willing to employ Watkins, early and often, the way Minnesota has in recent years with Percy Harvin and Cordarrelle Patterson. The manufactured touches would be good for EJ Manuel. We’re not sure it’s going to happen with enough regularity, though- with burners like CJ Spiller and Marquise Goodwin also in the fold for those play calls. It’s something to watch during training camp- although our bet is on the coaching staff focusing on acclimating Watkins as a more traditional receiver.