BuffaLowDown
Fansided

Sammy Watkins: Buffalo Bills’ Most Underrated Player

By Ryan Brennan

Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) throws his hands in the air after failing to make a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) throws his hands in the air after failing to make a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

TheScore recently ranked every NFL team’s most underrated player and they selected Sammy Watkins for the Buffalo Bills.

When the Buffalo Bills drafted up to select Sammy Watkins with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, they were ready to watch a very talented receiver develop into a top target in this league. Unfortunately, things haven’t exactly gone as planned early on in his career.

Luckily for the Bills, it has nothing to do with his performance when on the field — which has been nothing short of spectacular. Instead, it’s his ability to stay healthy — or lack of it — that has held him back these past 3 years.

His injuries have either kept him off the field or kept him limited when on the field. Since we still haven’t truly seen Watkins’ potential in this league, it can be very easy to overlook his talent and take it for granted.

Sure, we didn’t see a whole lot of him last season, but that doesn’t mean he should be seen as a bust — at least not yet.

In an article published recently by TheScore, writer Matt Williamson named the most underrated player on each NFL team. The very first team he chose were the Buffalo Bills and he selected Sammy Watkins as the most underrated player on the team. Williamson used to be an NFL scout and also a scout for ESPN, so he is quite credible.

Here’s an excerpt from Williamson:

"Usually these spots would be reserved for lesser-known players. But because he has missed so much time with injury, the general public doesn’t fully appreciate what a difference maker Watkins is when he is not only on the field, but at 100 percent, something we just haven’t seen nearly enough of thus far. The Bills need Watkins … badly."

I can understand Watkins being the Bills’ most underrated player. Like Williamson noted, these spots are normally for lesser-known players, but it’s clear that his talent is overlooked by his injury history. Because of that, fans are starting to take him for granted and aren’t properly giving him the props he deserves.

Injuries are a sad part of this game, but a part of the game nonetheless. There are things you can do to minimize injuries, but there’s simply nothing a team can do to completely avoid them. After three years in the NFL, Sammy Watkins hasn’t had very good luck in avoiding them and has gotten the short end of the stick every year.

It started early on, too. In his rookie season, Sammy Watkins spent the first 5 weeks on the injury report with broken ribs and a rib contusion. He would then suffer a groin injury about a month later, before injuring his hip in Week 13.

More from BuffaLowDown

After having hip surgery during the 2015 offseason, Watkins would suffer a calf injury and a sprained ankle throughout his sophomore season.

Last offseason, he fractured his foot and had surgery to insert a screw, which led to season-long foot issues. After playing 2 games last season, he was put on the IR and would return for the final six games of the season — although not at 100%.

There seems to always be a new injury with Watkins and as a result, Buffalo Bills‘ fans and the NFL as a whole are forced to view him as a bust — instead of the talented receiver he is. With Watkins being the only starting wide receiver on the Bills’ roster currently, fans can only hope that next season is different.

When on the field, Watkins is very dangerous. Despite only 37 games played (out of a possible 48), Watkins has totaled 153 receptions, 2,459 yards and 17 touchdowns to just one fumble. He can easily take the top off the defense and his ability to find the ball in the air and bring it down for a catch is spectacular.

Not to mention, he somehow managed to tally 1,047 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2015, despite missing three games.

I think it’s time we see the real Sammy Watkins and get a nice glance at what he is truly capable of with this offense. If we don’t see it next season, then his time with the Buffalo Bills could be running short.

The Buffalo Bills need a healthy Sammy Watkins... badly.

Next: Buffalo Bills' Hunt for a Wide Receiver Could Be Over

Do you think Sammy Watkins is the Buffalo Bills‘ most underrated player? Leave your comments below!

Home/Buffalo Bills News