WR SAMMY WATKINS, CLEMSON*
6’1” – 205 lbs. – 4.50e
STATISTICAL PROFILE:
2011: 82 – 1,219 – 12 (14.9)
2012: 57 – 708 – 3 (12.4)
OVERVIEW:
Was named a first-team AP All-American following his freshman season, then earned an honorable mention All-ACC selection from conference coaches as a sophomore in 2012. Has also contributed as a kick returner.
STRENGTHS:
• Has been highly productive in all three seasons with the Tigers.
• Versatile and has even lined up in the backfield as a running option.
• Fairly tall with a thick, muscular build which allows him to release.
• Not a true burner but is capable of uncovering himself downfield.
• Has a nice catching radius, good at bringing in passes away from body.
• Breaks a ton of tackles, making him a threat to gain yards after catch.
• Does a lot of damage on screens, one of the primary ways he gets the ball.
• Settles into soft spots in zone coverage rather than overrunning routes.
• Explosive out of his breaks, gets good separation versus man coverage.
• Effective runner who has contributed on kick returns and reverses.
WEAKNESSES:
• Production dropped markedly during disappointing sophomore season.
• Numbers are inflated due to his high volume of targets on screens.
• Struggles a bit as a downfield receiver in terms of tracking the ball in air.
• Drops a few passes more than you’d expect from a projected top pick.
• Physical style of play may create concerns about his long-term durability.
• Was suspended for the first two games of 2012 following a drug arrest.
SUMMARY:
A superior prospect to former teammate and 2013 first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins, Watkins burst onto the scene as a freshman and, after a disappointing 2012 season in which his numbers fell across the board, he has rebounded as a junior. At this point, Watkins’ aggressiveness, physicality, and explosiveness with the ball in his hands are his best traits, and he has the physical tools to develop into a true number one option, particularly by improving his concentration and by tracking the ball a little bit better on downfield throws. Not quite the prospect Julio Jones was. RD 1