[RamsFanSince82]

Watkins is an enigma for sure.
There are many that just believe he is elite, that he is just ready to explode and produce OBJ type numbers. Yet looking over his career, he hasn’t produced anything like that. Barely cracked 1,000 yards 1 time. Never had 10 tds. Catch/target rate low 50%s

Full disclosure, I am in the “many” category.

Rams have 2 good, potentially great, wr in Woods and Kupp. You’d think a WR who specializes in deep routes would thrive at an opportunity like the Rams offer. I want Watkins back but feel supremely confident that if we don’t, we’ll get a more than capable replacement

I agree. Also, in the three games that Woods missed, his numbers didn't really improve. On 11/26/17 against the Saints he had a pretty good game (4 catches, 82 yards and a TD), on 12/3/17 against the Cards he had 3 catches for 38 yards, and a TD, and on 12/10/17 against the Eagles, he caught 3 passes for only 21 yards and a TD. For the season he caught only 39 of his 70 targets.

[dieterbrock]

. For the season he caught only 39 of his 70 targets.

Yeah and what makes it worse is that he caught 13 of his first 14 targets.
After that?

[Ramfan99]

I think 1-2 year deal is a win/win (3 year is too risky), because Rams can evaluate him for a whole season and he has a chance to prove he is an elite receiver, then get more money later. He has speed, can be physical, but not so much vertical leap and that is what Rams lack/need in red zone offense and lead to TDs in end zones. If he can improve his vertical ability, he could be a total package. If not, I hope for Josh Reynolds. At 6’3”, he could be the prototype of a tall, fast, go-to guy when we are in the red zone.

[dieterbrock]

I think 1-2 year deal is a win/win (3 year is too risky), because Rams can evaluate him for a whole season and he has a chance to prove he is an elite receiver, then get more money later. He has speed, can be physical, but not so much vertical leap and that is what Rams lack/need in red zone offense and lead to TDs in end zones. If he can improve his vertical ability, he could be a total package. If not, I hope for Josh Reynolds. At 6’3”, he could be the prototype of a tall, fast, go-to guy when we are in the red zone.

IMO the way it’s going is that UFA sign long term deals, or 1 year deals. And the 1 year type typically are after testing out the market and not able to procure one of the long term deals.
Not a lot of benefit for the player in a 2 year deal unless the money is max

[/zn/]

I think 1-2 year deal is a win/win (3 year is too risky), because Rams can evaluate him for a whole season and he has a chance to prove he is an elite receiver, then get more money later. He has speed, can be physical, but not so much vertical leap and that is what Rams lack/need in red zone offense and lead to TDs in end zones. If he can improve his vertical ability, he could be a total package. If not, I hope for Josh Reynolds. At 6’3”, he could be the prototype of a tall, fast, go-to guy when we are in the red zone.

Okay. But the league is not dumb, Watkins's agent is not dumb, and Watkins is not dumb. Someone will offer him something that goes beyond that kind of lowball offer and he will just walk.

[Hacksaw_64]

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/374103/rams-

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Rams are "working actively" to re-sign free agent Sammy Watkins.
Watkins is reportedly "open to staying." La Canfora mentions Watkins possibly settling for a "bridge" contract, likely on a one- or two-year deal to continue to rebuild other teams' confidence in his ability to stay healthy and effective. Watkins' "market" to this point has been pretty quiet. Most teams likely view him as a fallback plan to fellow free agent Allen Robinson.

[Elvis]

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/374103/rams-

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Rams are "working actively" to re-sign free agent Sammy Watkins.
Watkins is reportedly "open to staying." La Canfora mentions Watkins possibly settling for a "bridge" contract, likely on a one- or two-year deal to continue to rebuild other teams' confidence in his ability to stay healthy and effective. Watkins' "market" to this point has been pretty quiet. Most teams likely view him as a fallback plan to fellow free agent Allen Robinson.

Would be great if this turns out to be right...

[dieterbrock]

Like the way the league was dumb last year with Pryor and Jeffrey?

Signing Watkins to a big, long term deal is the kind of thing a team does when it thinks it has to DO SOMETHING.

I think there are a lot of similarities to Jeffrey and if he’s confident in his ability, no reason to think he won’t get the money that Jeffrey got and will get

[Hacksaw]

Sounds to me like an olive branch. He opened the door.

[ramsman34]

I hope the Rams are actively talking to Robinson's and Richardson's agents to gage what they want ($/length of contract). Then see what you can work with Watkins understanding the parameters of the other 2 similar FA options out there. If either of those other two are available for reasonable amounts, they create more leverage with Watkins depending on what other offers are out there for him. There is a reason the Bills didn't pick up his 5th year option or try to renegotiate a long term deal. Some GMs know these reasons and should proceed accordingly with Watkins. that said, there are other GMs who don't know these reasons and could fall in love with his potential and offer to overpay for him. It comes down to now money vs later money (after he strings together another solid to great season or two under a shorter term contract), and if he want to play for a contender or just get the most money he can over the next 2-3 seasons.