Here's how Watkins stacks up against WR's since '14...

Here's how Sammy Watkins stacks up statistically among receivers since 2014

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Tanya Ray Fox

As the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Sammy Watkins was meant to help change the losing culture in Buffalo. Instead, he became collateral damage in their continued downward spiral – a phenomenon that Rams fans are all too familiar with.

Now though, the Rams are a beacon of hope for the young player looking to live up to his potential and remind NFL fans just how special he is. Former Bills teammate Nickell Robey-Coleman, with whom he reunites in Los Angeles, even compared him to Odell Beckham – when he’s healthy.

Watkins’ greatest weakness is his health, which should be a massive concern going forward. He missed half the regular season in 2016 with an injury to his left foot, which has plagued him since his college days. And because he played on the Bills in the AFC East, where every team struggles to find a sliver of sunlight under the shadow of the Patriots, many of us don’t have a clear picture of what his three years as a pro have really looked like.

Obviously straight up comparisons can’t account for all of the factors and variables that go into a player’s effectiveness, but it can still offer a broader understanding of the type of role he’s had in the league until now. So with that in mind, here are his closest statistical comparisons in every major receiving category since 2014.

Receptions

Sammy Watkins: 153
Kenny Britt: 152
DeMarco Murray: 154

Leader – Antonio Brown: 371

Total Receiving Yards

Sammy Watkins: 2,459
Anquan Bolden: 2,435
Dez Bryant: 2,517

Leader – Julio Jones: 4,873

Receiving Yards Per Game

Sammy Watkins: 66.5
Greg Olsen: 66.4
Dez Bryant: 66.2

Leader – Julio Jones: 108.3

TD Receptions

Sammy Watkins: 17
Larry Fitgerald: 17
Michael Floyd: 17

Leader – Antonio Brown & Odell Beckham: 35

Games Started

Sammy Watkins: 37
Tavon Austin: 37
DeSean Jackson: 37