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Chiefs To Sign Watkins; Add More Speed To Already Speedy Unit
According to multiple reports, the Chiefs are planning to sign free-agent wideout Sammy Watkins to a three-year deal when the official signing period begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
The deal is expected to be worth $48 million with $30 million guaranteed at the signing, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Watkins joining the Chiefs takes the top two receivers off the free-agent market after Allen Robinson agreed to sign with the Chicago Bears early Tuesday morning.
His arrival means the Patrick Mahomes Era will kick off in Kansas City with something you can't coach: Speed. And lots of it.
As NFL.com's Kevin Patra notes, adding Watkins gives Andy Reid a stable of field-stretching targets with Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. Go ahead and throw dynamic, big-play running back Kareem Hunt into that mix as well.
Watkins entered free agency coming off one disappointing season in Los Angeles -- and following an injury-plagued start to his career in Buffalo. In Sean McVay's high-flying offense, Watkins played third-fiddle, earning 593 yards on 39 receptions with eight touchdowns.
Still, Watkins -- along with Robinson -- drew heavy interest right from the get to.
Patra suggests the Rams desire to keep Watkins around likely pushed his market. Watkins' $30 million guaranteed sits at fifth-most among receivers, and the $16 million average is fourth-most at the position. The huge money is a lot for a 600-yard receiver with an injury history, but the Chiefs hedged by keeping the deal short.
Remember: Watkins is still just 24 years old. When healthy, he has the speed to burn on the outside, a big body over the middle and proved last season in L.A. he can be a red zone threat. He's also a very good route runner.
Pairing a player of Watkins talent with Hill and Kelce makes a ton of sense on paper. Watkins provides a red zone foil to Kelce and a deep-threat tandem for Hill. Toss in Hunt, and the Chiefs have plenty of weapons for Reid to tinker with in 2018.
With Mahomes' big arm, he's set up to succeed in his first year as starter, if all his weapons are on the field.