Tag: Sammy Watkins

Three former Tigers ranked among top NFL free agents

Pro Football Focus recently released its ranking of the top 200 NFL free agents. Three former Clemson standouts are among the top 115 players in PFF’s NFL free agent rankings, with Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams coming in as a …

Pro Football Focus recently released its ranking of the top 200 NFL free agents.

Three former Clemson standouts are among the top 115 players in PFF’s NFL free agent rankings, with Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams coming in as a top-10 free agent at No. 7 overall.

Williams finished last season with 76 catches for 1,146 yards. He also had nine touchdowns.

“Mike Williams has intimidating size and leaping ability that has made him a specialist deep down the field and in the red zone,” PFF wrote. “He lacks the short area quickness to be a complete receiver, but is an excellent complementary piece when healthy. He could be a fit for a team like Philadelphia that don’t currently have that skill set, or Washington who need a legitimate No. 2 opposite Terry McLaurin.”

Former Clemson safety Jayron Kearse, who spent the 2021 season with the Dallas Cowboys, is ranked No. 72 in the PFF NFL free agent rankings.

He had two interceptions, 10 passes defended, a fumble recovery, a sack, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and 101 total tackles this past season.

“Jayron Kearse is at his best using his size and length to cover tight ends one on one as the answer to how that positon has developed in recent years,” PFF wrote. “He has the size to combat those bigger bodies, but real coverage skills man-to-man. Teams that play a lot of man coverage or matchup zone should consider him specifically for that assignment.”

Former Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins comes in at No. 112 in the rankings after recording 27 receptions for 394 yards and a touchdown with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021.

“Sammy Watkins’ best value in the NFL has been going off when all the focus is on another player,” PFF wrote. “He has enough skills to win, and win big, against No. 2 corners or players that can’t match up with him physically, but struggles against elite cover guys and has been fragile.”

–Photo for this article courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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Should the Ravens re-sign WR Sammy Watkins?

We analyze if the Ravens should re-sign wide receiver Sammy Watkins

The Baltimore Ravens brought in veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins during the 2021 offseason for his impact both on and off of the field. While he was able to be a positive influence in the locker room, his on-field performance was inconsistent and tapered off as the year progressed.

Baltimore entered free agency with a rather big need at wideout, and were rumored to be going after players such as JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y. Hilton. However, after both players reportedly turned the team down, they pivoted to Watkins, who they ended up giving a one-year deal worth $6 million.

Watkins ended the 2021 season with 27 catches for 394 yards and one touchdown. He was a big part of a few iconic moments for the team, including a 4th-and-19 conversion against the Detroit Lions in Week 3 and catching what would have been the game-winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 if the team had been successful on their two-point conversion attempt.

The veteran receiver has been labeled as injury prone over the course of his career, and that didn’t change with the Ravens. He missed four games in 2021, and still has yet to play a full slate of game since his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

Baltimore’s need for a wide receiver in 2022 free agency is practically non-existent. While they potentially have room for one or at a maximum two wideouts, it feels likely that Watkins would want a bit bigger of a role than the Ravens would be able to offer him. With players such as Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace all deserving of snaps next year, it’s hard to profile where Watkins would fit in among that group, especially after his decline in snaps over the second half of the season.

It’s possible that Watkins could return if the two sides can find a team-friendly price point that works for both parties and the veteran is on board with playing somewhat of a reduced role. His veteran leadership is extremely valuable for a young group of wideouts, and he can absolutely still be used in certain situations on the field. However, Watkins’ one year in Baltimore didn’t go quite as expected, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team move on and go in a different direction.

 

WRU is real, and the stats prove it

If you turn on just about any NFL game, you will see a few Clemson players on the roster. From superstars to the practice squad, the Tigers have been pumping out NFL talent for years. But it’s hard to argue Clemson’s best performance in producing …

If you turn on just about any NFL game, you will see a few Clemson players on the roster. From superstars to the practice squad, the Tigers have been pumping out NFL talent for years. But it’s hard to argue Clemson’s best performance in producing playmakers has been at wide receiver.

With the NFL season winding down, the Tigers have three former WRs with over 1,000 yards — Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, and of course Hunter Renfrow. And realistically, had Deandre Hopkins not been hurt, he probably would have joined them.

An impressive showing to say the least. Former Tigers Sammy Watkins, Adam Humphries, and Ray-Ray McCloud have been steady contributors to their teams all year as well. And rookie Amari Rodgers is starting to get more playing time up there in Green Bay. Next year, hopefully Justyn Ross will be adding to the Tigers’ NFL pass-catching club.

One thing is for sure, WRU is in good hands it seems.

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Ravens add 12 players to game day roster ahead of Week 16 matchup vs. Bengals

The Ravens added 12 players to their game day roster ahead of their Week 16 matchup with the Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens have seen injury after injury impact their team over the course of the 2021 season. Now with just three regular season games to go before the playoffs begin, COVID-19 has hit Baltimore hard, with many players being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list over the past week.

On Saturday, it was announced that quarterback Tyler Huntley was added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list and quarterback Lamar Jackson wouldn’t be traveling with the team, leaving just Josh Johnson as the only healthy signal caller on the Ravens’ roster. In light of all of their absences, the team added 12 players to their game day roster for Week 16, including quarterback Kenji Bahar, wide receiver Sammy Watkins and outside linebacker Daelin Hayes.

Baltimore will need every one of the elevated players to make an impact against the Cincinnati Bengals in what is the biggest matchup of the season for the Ravens. If Johnson goes down, Bahar suddenly becomes next in line. Watkins provides wide receiver depth, while Hayes will help out the outside linebacker position that is currently missing Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee.

 

Ravens place two more players on Reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Week 15

The Ravens placed two more players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of their Week 15 matchup against the Packers

The Baltimore Ravens have seen multiple key contributors placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list over the past few days ahead of their Week 15 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. That fact combined with the countless amount of injuries leaves Baltimore decimated at multiple key positions.

On Saturday, the Ravens lost two more players to the Reserve/COVID-19 list in cornerback Chris Westry and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Both players were set to have key roles in the event that they suited up, but now they will be unavailable.

Sammy Watkins to miss Sunday’s game

The Baltimore Ravens received some bad news on Sammy Watkins on Sunday. Watkins has landed on the COVID-19 list and will not be available to play Sunday when the Ravens battle the Packers. WR Sammy Watkins lands on COVID-19 reserve, and he won’t …

The Baltimore Ravens received some bad news on Sammy Watkins on Sunday.

Watkins has landed on the COVID-19 list and will not be available to play Sunday when the Ravens battle the Packers.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh gives injury updates on multiple key players

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh gave injury updates on multiple key players

The Baltimore Ravens have had injuries decimate their team for the entirety of the 2021 season at multiple positions. Even before the year began, the injury bug hit the organization hard as they lost many key players during training camp and the preseason.

Baltimore saw more of their contributors go down with injuries in Week 14, including star quarterback Lamar Jackson. On Monday during his press conference with the media, head coach John Harbaugh gave updates on some of the players who are dealing with various ailments.

What They Are Saying: Former Clemson receivers ball out in NFL Week 13

A bunch of former “Wide Receiver U” members balled out on Sunday in Week 13 of the NFL season. Former Clemson wideouts Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, Hunter Renfrow, DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins all had big games for their respective NFL squads. …

A bunch of former “Wide Receiver U” members balled out on Sunday in Week 13 of the NFL season.

Former Clemson wideouts Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, Hunter Renfrow, DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins all had big games for their respective NFL squads.

Higgins racked up nine receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown in the Cincinnati Bengals’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, who benefited from Williams’ five catches for 110 yards.

Meanwhile, Renfrow (nine receptions, 102 yards) also exceeded the 100-yard receiving mark in the Las Vegas Raiders’ loss to the Washington Football Team, while Watkins had four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown in the Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Hopkins returned after missing time because of a hamstring injury to post a couple of catches for 32 yards and a score in the Arizona Cardinals’ win over the Chicago Bears.

Check out what they are saying about the former Tiger receivers below:

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Former Clemson star coming up clutch for his new NFL team

Nicknamed “Playoff Sammy” for his postseason heroics as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, former Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins seems to have a knack for stepping up and making big plays when it matters the most. Now with the Baltimore Ravens …

Nicknamed “Playoff Sammy” for his postseason heroics as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, former Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins seems to have a knack for stepping up and making big plays when it matters the most.

Now with the Baltimore Ravens after signing a one-year deal with the franchise this past offseason, Watkins is still coming up clutch.

In Week 11 against the Chicago Bears, Watkins made one of the plays of the game when he hauled in a 29-yard reception on third-and-12 with 33 seconds left that set up the Ravens’ game-winning touchdown in a 16-13 victory at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Watkins also had a 36-yard reception on fourth-and-19 against the Detroit Lions in Week 3 that led to Justin Tucker’s game-winning, 66-yard field goal in a 19-17 win.

Check out the following feature from the Ravens on Watkins and his clutch catches this season:

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What They Are Saying: Former Clemson stars shine in NFL Week 11

Plenty of former Clemson football stars stood out again on Sunday in Week 11 of the NFL season. Check out what they are saying about some of the Tigers in the NFL: That’s now officially a game-winning TD for Mike Dub. pic.twitter.com/7T9GpsRcc6 – …

Plenty of former Clemson football stars stood out again on Sunday in Week 11 of the NFL season.

Check out what they are saying about some of the Tigers in the NFL:

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