Ravens sign WR Sammy Watkins

After failing to secure a wide receiver during the initial craze of free agency, the Ravens finally land one by signing former Chiefs wideout Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with $5 million guaranteed.

At 27-years old, Baltimore will be Watkins’ fourth landing spot in the NFL since being drafted by the Bills with the fourth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Watkins spent his first three seasons in Buffalo before being traded to the Rams, where he spent one season. Watkins has spent the past three seasons with the Chiefs.

It is worth noting that Watkins’ best season as a professional came in 2015 with Greg Roman as the offensive coordinator for the Bills. In 2015, Watkins caught 60 passes for 1,047 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Since then, Watkins has failed to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Watkins has also dealt with injuries, playing in all 16 games only once in his career. Watkins played in 10 games with Kansas City in 2020, catching 37 passes for 421 yards and two touchdowns. Over his seven years in the NFL, Watkins has caught 321 passes for 4,655 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Watkins may not be the splash signing at the wide receiver position that many had hoped for entering free agency, but he certainly provides help to a team that desperately needs pass catchers. Watkins reunites with Roman now and will pair with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to catch passes from 2019 MVP QB Lamar Jackson. This move should not prevent the Ravens from adding a wide receiver in the upcoming draft.