In his 4th year, Watkins still isn't the superstar performer his draft position anticipated. So here he is going into his 5th year, and he's still being paid based on potential.
He comes off a 39 catch 590 yard year and is rewarded with a $16 mil per year contract?
However just as some see Watkins' value as well beyond his stats (while others don't), so do the Rams see Austin's value as well beyond his stats (while others don't).
And just as there was a sunk cost in Austin, there was also a sunk cost in Watkins (EJ Gaines and a 2nd round pick).
The difference is that they have now figured out a way to recoup some of the sunk cost in Austin......at least on paper.
They just had to eat the sunk cost in Watkins because clearly the Rams did not think he was worth anywhere near that kind of money. But as always, someone else did.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2018 02:44AM by RockRam.