Author says Watkins signing was a "reckless decision".

[T-post Tom]

Overcorrection at WR2 strange strategy for Chiefs

For over a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs either could not find the right No. 2 wide receiver or deemed the job a low priority.

The Andy Reid years regarded the role as a non-essential component in an offense that funnels through Travis Kelce, whoever is playing running back, and the player lining up as Kansas City’s No. 1 wideout. The Chiefs — who have spent over half of the past 30 years running their aerial attack through All-Pro-caliber tight ends — have not had two wide receivers amass more than 800 air yards in the same season since Carlos Carson and Stephone Paige did so in 1985.

Even last summer — when the Chiefs, on the surface, seemed to have a quality wideout tandem in Tyreek Hill and Jeremy Maclin — the franchise’s tendencies resurfaced when Maclin was a surprise cut.

To see the Chiefs overcorrect to the degree they did this week in signing Sammy Watkins was stunning on several fronts.

If everything goes as the team hopes, the Chiefs now have the best wide receiver duo they’ve possessed in the history of the franchise. The top four weapons Kansas City has could rival almost any crew in the league, with a perennial Pro Bowler at tight end and the reigning rushing champion in the mix for years. Reid and Brett Veach have outfitted Patrick Mahomes with the kind of artillery Alex Smith never received. It’s a tantalizing setup.

All of that said, this can be categorized as a reckless decision.

In a vacuum, Watkins being paid $16 million per year and receiving $30M guaranteed is ludicrous based on his qualifications. He’s now the fourth-highest-paid wide receiver on the planet when he might not be a top-20 player at the position. But free agency demands high-stakes buyers treat above-average talent like franchise-changing presences, and the cap continues to rise by approximately $10M annually.

When analyzing this transaction through a Chief lens, it’s also a weird call.

As has been the case every year since the Eddie Kennison-Johnnie Morton pair disbanded, the Chiefs could have probably used a WR2 upgrade. They haven’t selected a wideout in the first or second rounds since the disastrous 2011 Jonathan Baldwin pick. Watkins, at his very best version when healthy, is slightly overqualified to be referred to as such. Hill took a major step forward last season, though, and is the top Chief receiver. There were several areas that could have used this gigantic expenditure more than wide receiver.

Kansas City has needs across its defense, which continued to regress last season. Its top two edge rushers are injury-prone, with one (Dee Ford) proving unreliable through four years. There are no long-term answers on the defensive line beyond Chris Jones. Since the Chiefs traded away their best cornerback in at least 20 years, that is a priority.

More than that, how much is Watkins going to matter to this team?

His agent did a brilliant job, and there was clearly a big market for him — and other receivers, as this unexpected boom displayed. Equipping a young quarterback with more receiving help is a good idea. Watkins has averaged the fourth-most yards per catch (15.9) since 2014. The deep threat also has produced an arguably unsustainable (but impressive) touchdown rate with 25 in 52 games. But there’s a difference between the Bears doling out $14M per year to Allen Robinson and this.

Chicago desperately needed offensive weapons, having no threats at wide receiver or tight end. The Chiefs have — now that Rob Gronkowski is a year-to-year proposition — the most valuable tight end in the game. Hill is on the verge of becoming one of the NFL’s premier wideouts.

Reid’s playbook has used this job as a niche role. Kelce will still be the offensive focal point, and Hunt’s and Hill’s futures are glowing. Granted, Watkins is better than Albert Wilson, Chris Conley or Donnie Avery. But is Watkins — in this offense — worth $16 million when other positions are in dire need of aid?

This is like an NBC executive circa 2009 saying, “We really aren’t getting what we need out of the HR character on ‘The Office.’ What can we offer Seth Rogen to come in and replace Toby?”

As you may have heard, Watkins did not exactly thrive in his contract year. Despite being part of a cutting-edge Ram scheme, the former No. 4 pick caught 39 passes for 593 yards (a distant fourth in Sean McVay’s attack) and eight touchdowns.

To some degree, that showing could be written off because of Watkins’ late-offseason relocation. That would justify the Chiefs’ investment if Watkins wasn’t constantly battling nagging or season-defining injuries. Multiple severe foot ailments limited him to eight games in 2016. Two screws were inserted in Watkins’ foot in January of 2017 after recovery setbacks. An ankle injury cost him two games in 2015, and while he didn’t miss any games as a rookie, the Clemson product required hip surgery after the 2014 season. But he did play in every regular season game the Rams asked him to last year.

Coupled with the fit and the shaky contract year, this is a lot to disregard to justify the expense.

Reid remains one of the best offensive coaches in the game. He created an offense catered to an average quarterback’s talents, and the Chiefs rode it to four playoff berths in five years. The Mahomes offense could look remarkably different. Watkins — who will be only 25 this season — nearly posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Kyle Orton and Tyrod Taylor targeting him. However, that still doesn’t justify paying an arguably superfluous cog $16M per season.

Cheaper receivers were available. Signing one of those could have created more room to find defensive help while still upgrading on offense. This deal won’t cripple the Chiefs in the long run, but within the next three years, Hill will need to be extended.

He has two more seasons remaining on his rookie contract and likely will outproduce Watkins this season. Hill will be eligible for an extension in 2019. That could be confusing and cause cuts elsewhere when a hired gun with a low floor and debatable ceiling is now making more than Julio Jones and A.J. Green. No team has more than two WRs making $12M per year.

Again, this upgrades the Chiefs’ offense — perhaps significantly, given the attention that could come Watkins’ way to then help teammates. With a first-round quarterback with potentially top-flight arm strength, this will make the Chiefs a must-see team on offense.

Yet, it’s hard to rationalize the signing for a team that did not need to allocate these resources to fixing this particular deficiency — especially when the player comes with this many question marks.

https://www.fanragsports.com/chiefs/overcorrection-at-wr2-strange-strategy-for-chiefs/

[KCUnited]

Who’s Author?

[ChiefGator]

Send it to Watkins.. maybe the bulletin board material will help him.

Mark

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The author is correct is several aspects:
1. Watkins is getting paid more on his future potential than his past performance. He has not been anywhere close to being a top 5 wide receiver, yet he's being paid like one. 2029 Yards 1st 2 seasons
2. His foot injury is a concern. Missed 0 games due to injury last year.
3. Andy has not yet fully utilized a 2nd WR in his schemes in KC. Tried to take advantage of Conley's skills. Kelce was the surrogate.

All that being said:
1. Andy did use Maclin and Jackson in Philly, so he can utilize two WR's if he chooses.Good point.
2. Even if Watkins doesn't perform as a top 10 WR stat wise, if he helps KC get past the first round of the playoffs he is money well spent. Agree

I would say giving that money to Watkins is a bit of a gamble, but not reckless.Agree

Yes, I have red and gold glasses on today. Also worth noting that Watkins has shown greatness in the red zone, which has been an area of concern for the Chiefs.

[Hoover]

I hope they keep publishing shit like this. Hardly a mention of Mahomes ability to go deep and the strain Watkins will out on defenses helps every aspect of the offense. Sure we could have spent half as much for Jordy Nelson but giving real money to a WR seven years older than Watkins would have been even more foolish.

[Hoover]

Maclin wouldn’t have been cut had he not sucked ass. Seriously why do people talk like he was a top 10 wr? He disappeared when we needed him the most.

[Buckweath]

I'll say this. I am anxious to see what Veach will do for the defense but if he doesn't do much other than drafting defense and the defense is average to below-average next year, we will be left to wonder if he shouldn't have gone for a cheaper WR and have more money left to help the defense.

[Simplicity]

When’s the last time we had a good QB who himself can utilize WR1 and WR2? Trent Green? Alex couldn’t do it. We have every right to believe Mahomes will make these guys great.

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by Buckweath

I'll say this. I am anxious to see what Veach will do for the defense but if he doesn't do much other than drafting defense and the defense is average to below-average next year, we will be left to wonder if he shouldn't have gone for a cheaper WR and have more money left to help the defense.

If the defense can keep opponents to under 40 pts, Chiefs will be fine.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Buckweath

I'll say this. I am anxious to see what Veach will do for the defense but if he doesn't do much other than drafting defense and the defense is average to below-average next year, we will be left to wonder if he shouldn't have gone for a cheaper WR and have more money left to help the defense.

I disagree. Veach’s job is one of making choices. None are easy. To build the team for the long run it HAS to be built through the draft. No one is sever able to field the perfect team. I’d rather surround our franchise QB with outstanding talent than have Albert Wilson and some fatty on the d-line under contract.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Fan Rag sports... nuff said

Yeah, not sure why this is threadworthy.

[JakeF]

The amount of money paid is a concern but i see no reason to find fault with finally expanding our options at wr.

[T-post Tom]

5 Receiver set:

Hill, Watkins, Conley, Kelce, DAT/Hunt/Robinson (your pick)

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

5 Receiver set:

Hill, Watkins, Conley, Kelce, DAT/Hunt/Robinson

If Watkins stays healthy he will probably end up being our #1 receiver. He is a more complete receiver than Hill. Robinson better ranked higher than that, he has the potential to be our #3 wr.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Reckless is just who we are now. A reckless gunslinging QB and a reckless GM and a reckless **** you attitude.

I think this article was doomed when the author chose to use the word reckless- which would mean - (of a person or their actions) without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action.

The basis of the article makes it seem as if Veech signed Watkins on a whim as if he was making some late night bid on Ebay after drinking all night.

When in fact, by Veech's own words, he wanted to acquire Sammy last season. It was far from a reckless decision, but a long, thought out, calculated one not just based on stats but what Sammy can do for this offense.

Watkins can score from anywhere on the field and creates mismatches against defenses by his speed alone, not to mention he has great hands. Now Mahomes has 4 players that can change the game in one play and are threats to score every time they step on the field. That is why the Chiefs paid a premium and it was definitely not a reckless choice.

[staylor26]

CP poster says author is an “idiot”