I think this subject deserves it's own thread, so here goes.
The dilemma: We paid a 2nd round pick AND a good player (EJ Gaines) to acquire Sammy. If we don't resign him, that amounts to a very expensive one year rental. On the other hand, Sammy got relatively few targets, had the least productivity of our 3 starting WR and Todd Gurley, and it often seems like Sammy either couldn't get open or Goff nearly never looked his way or Watkins was not the first option. So if Sammy sees himself as an elite #1WR and wants to be paid as such, should the Rams do that?
An elite WR is going to get something like a 4 year $50 mil contract....maybe more. However that is paid for nearly dollar for dollar if we cut Robert Quinn. But is that a good trade off?
Would we be better to not sign Watkins and sign a different FA WR? Well, Sammy's 8 TDs is eclipsed only by Jarvis Landry's 9 when it comes to pending UFA's. Landry is really more of a slot WR in my book and is not a burner. But Watkins 593 yards is eclipsed by a number of FA WRs.
Watkins is a baby: 24 years old. Younger than Wentz. Only a year older than Goff. Other than missing a game for concussion protocol, he was healthy all year. No rehab over the off season needed.
For the same or less money, might we be better off going after Jarvis Landry? Or Danny Amendola? Or Paul Richardson? Even if that means moving Woods to the X spot? Maybe moving Kupp as well?
I have no doubt Watkins is going to go to the high bidder. Most players will, and while he's expressed interest in returning that doesn't mean a lot when it comes to money.
The first issue that must be resolved is whether McVay thinks that Watkins is a good fit for his offense.
The second issue is for Goff to explain why he hardly ever targeted Watkins. Bad route running? Bad chemistry? Watkins wasn't usually his first option? What?
Only after that can the Rams decide whether to try to keep Sammy or not. Personally, if McVay and Goff want to keep Sammy, I don't think they should exceed what they paid Woods. If he can get more elsewhere, so be it. Certainly the Rams wouldn't want to apply the $15 mil Franchise tag. Bad strategy.
