Sammy Watkins

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting impending free agent wide receiver Sammy Watkins plans to sign a three-year deal with the Kansa City Chiefs.

Fantasy Impact

With the addition of Watkins, the Chiefs are poised to be an offensive juggernaut in 2018 -- if Pat Mahomes lives up to the hype. Already having Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in place in terms of upper echelon pass-catchers -- not to mention Kareem Hunt out of the backfield -- the Chiefs have added another piece around Mahomes to ensure he succeeds. While Watkins is coming off of a down year in targets, receptions and yards, he did score eight TDs last season and most importantly, he remained healthy. Watkins could be the difference maker that gets the Chiefs over the proverbial hump. He's instantly on the WR2 radar for the upcoming fantasy football campaign.

The Los Angeles Rams have chosen to place their franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner, meaning that wide receiver Sammy Watkins will hit the open market.

Fantasy Impact

Apparently the Rams want to retain Watkins, though sending 70 targets his way in 2017 isn't going to help their cause to re-sign him. There were multiple times this past season where Watkins expressed frustration with not having a larger role in the offense. With the young nucleus of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Todd Gurley, it's not likely that it would drastically change in 2018. Watkins is the former No. 4 pick in the draft, just 24 years old, and oozing with upside. He's going to get a lot of attention in free agency, as will Allen Robinson. Wherever he goes, expect him to walk into a huge role. Some teams that are expected to show interest include the Bears, Redskins, and 49ers.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Los Angles Rams will place the franchise tag on either WR Sammy Watkins or S Lamarcus Joyner by Tuesday's deadline.

Fantasy Impact

The Rams have a decision to make. While placing the tag on Watkins seems to be the popular way to go, perhaps Joyner is the smarter way. Although the Rams are acquiring Chiefs CB Marcus Peters via trade once the new league year begins on March 14, they are going to lose Trumaine Johnson via free agency. And losing Joyner as well could be detrimental to their secondary's chemistry as the team would be losing two impactful players from their defensive backfield. With a deep free agent wide receiver class in 2018, it wouldn't surprise me if Watkins is the player the Rams elected not to tag and reach the open market.

Sammy Watkins caught one of his four targets for 23 yards in Saturday's 26-13 loss to the Falcons.

Fantasy Impact

Watkins was an afterthought in Saturday's game, following a trend from almost the entire season. Watkins has done little to cement a role in this offense moving forward, and at one point during the season expressed his frustration with his role. It his hard to see Watkins returning to the Rams next season, but it is also hard to see the Rams passing attack looking the same without him. Watkins presence allowed the other receivers to operate freely without double coverage, something they would likely see without him there. His presence in the deep game also helped to open up the running game. Dynasty owners will need to monitor the news following Watkins during free agency closely, if he were to somehow return to Los Angeles he would be limited to what he was this year, a WR4 with upside. However, if he goes somewhere else during free agency it will likely to be their number one receiver. Watkins will be one of the more intriguing players to watch this off season.

Sammy Watkins was rested in Week 17, therefore failed to show up on the stat sheet in Sunday's loss to the 49ers.

Fantasy Impact

Watkins will be a very interesting player to monitor this offseason, but his season isn't over yet. He will be a free agent next year and the Rams haven't made it a point to get him super involved in game plans week-to-week. Depending on how the playoffs go, Watkins could be a prime candidate to leave this offseason, vaulting him to the top of the board for free agents at the receiver position. If you are in a playoff league however, Watkins will be a boom or bust WR4 with upside but a really low floor. He has turned into a touchdown or bust player this year and those are hard to predict. With that being said, in the first round of the playoffs Watkins faces a beatable Falcon secondary.