Did Alshon Jeffery contract just set the market for Watkins?

[gabriel18]

I think they have to find a way to keep Watkins. Otherwise a one year rental plus losing Gaines and a 2nd rounder will leave a bad taste . JMO

 

[Adi]

Need to resign him, he has not Greta numbers so far but there is alot of games left..he can still finish with 8-10 touchdowns.

This offense is alot easier to run with Sammy Watkins on the field . He takes the double teams and allows the other guys to get open . A Mcvay offense needs a deep threat .

Watkins woods and kupp for another 3-5 years ? Sign me up !

 

[nighttrain]

Watkins, Woods, and Kupp for another 5 years
train

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'm happy you are aware of this, but when you stated "The Rams can, and will, tender a 5th year" without offering that the Rams had already exercised this option back in April, it might leave a question with some readers.

As for the comment about how Donald might be designated in a 'franchise tag' scenario as either a DT or DE, I posted this a few weeks back that it could very well be part of the overall discussion regarding his potential re-signing.

 

[jrry32]

Well, I do consider Watkins a #1 WR, not just because of a recent lack of 'targets', but what he brings to the unit and his ability to stretch the field, opening up advantages to our remaining receivers. Watkins was signed one day before our first pre-season game with Dallas, so without most of camp and the same benefit to learn the playbook & McVay's offensive scheme as his Buffalo team-mate Robert Woods. The Rams traded a 2018 2'nd draft pick for Watkins, I have to believe they knew he needed to be paid in 2018 to keep him on-board.

Yet, Robert Woods is being targeted like he's the #1 WR. Watkins plays a valuable role, but you don't pay a guy $13 million per year to just be a vertical threat. When all of our targets have been healthy this year, Watkins has been the #4 target in the passing attack. You don't pay him that sort of money for that role. He needs a strong finish to earn that sort of deal.

As for worth, that's rather subjective, although we are just two years removed from his 60 receptions for over 1000 yards along with a 17.5 yard avg, same average as this current season, this done when he was only 22 years old. While Jeffery is a fine WR, he's never averaged 17.5 yards per reception, and in his 6 years in the league has only bested Watkins total yards twice, back in 2013 & 2014.

What are you talking about?
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffAl00.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkSa00.htm

Alshon's has been a much more productive player.

Watkins is the same age as Cooper Kupp, a rookie, and both of their best years are ahead of them. Sign Watkins for $12 - $13 mil per now and in 5 years it's likely to seem cheap by comparison. Behind Rams coaching, Watkins career can only advance. jmo.

Or it's likely to seem like a colossal overpay if he continues to be our fourth target in the passing game.

 

[wolfdogg]

Giving $13 million per year to a WR who isn't our #1 WR and is FOURTH on the team in targets would be a mistake. I like Sammy, but I'm offering $10 or $11 million per year at most. That's what he's earned. We have a limited amount of cap space. You don't park that much cap space in a guy who isn't your priority target.



He's talking about the Eagles.

Sammy may not be worth 13 or even 12 after we see the playoff run but when I consider his value to the team, its more than his stats. Woods and kupp, and Goff for that matter, would probably not be having the numbers they have without Sammy and they would surely not be getting the same opportunities due to tougher coverages. Plus, their opportunities keep drives going and our defense off the field. Maybe the way to go is a contract that pays higher than his stats may warrant because of what he forces defenses to do but not as high as what people would call. a "#1" receiver. For me its too early to talk contract.

 

[jrry32]

Sammy may not be worth 13 or even 12 after we see the playoff run but when I consider his value to the team, its more than his stats. Woods and kupp, and Goff for that matter, would probably not be having the numbers they have without Sammy and they would surely not be getting the same opportunities due to tougher coverages. Plus, their opportunities keep drives going and our defense off the field. Maybe the way to go is a contract that pays higher than his stats may warrant because of what he forces defenses to do but not as high as what people would call. a "#1" receiver. For me its too early to talk contract.

While that's important, you still have to figure out a way to value that. I just don't value that at $13 million per year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

If it is down to either Donald or Watkins.........bye bye Sammy hello cheap contract Reynolds

 

[Riverumbbq]

Yet, Robert Woods is being targeted like he's the #1 WR. Watkins plays a valuable role, but you don't pay a guy $13 million per year to just be a vertical threat. When all of our targets have been healthy this year, Watkins has been the #4 target in the passing attack. You don't pay him that sort of money for that role. He needs a strong finish to earn that sort of deal.



What are you talking about?
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffAl00.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkSa00.htm

Alshon's has been a much more productive player.



Or it's likely to seem like a colossal overpay if he continues to be our fourth target in the passing game.

During the 2015 season Tavin Austin lead our team with 87 targets, I don't believe anyone was calling for or confusing him as our # 1 WR. Alshon's production may also reflect on the Rams having an overall better receiving unit than the Eagles, where with Jeffery's, more is required of him to lead the team. More targets doesn't necessarily translate to value is my point. Watkins makes the entire unit better, even while he's in the early phases for learning the system and developing chemistry with his QB and fellow offensive players. If you believe Watkins with half a pre-season camp and at 24 years of age has somehow peaked as a player, then any further debate on the matter appears unproductive.

 

[Riverumbbq]

If it is down to either Donald or Watkins.........bye bye Sammy hello cheap contract Reynolds

Why would it be down to that ? Donald will be under contract with his 5'th year option next season, Watkins could become a free agent following this season.

 

[jrry32]

During the 2015 season Tavin Austin lead our team with 87 targets, I don't believe anyone was calling for or confusing him as our # 1 WR.

The 2015 Rams leaders in targets were Tavon, Cook, and Britt. It doesn't much matter whom you called the #1 WR because our targets sucked. This year, Robert Woods has played like a #1 WR.

Alshon's production may also reflect on the Rams having an overall better receiving unit than the Eagles, where with Jeffery's, more is required of him to lead the team. More targets doesn't necessarily translate to value is my point. Watkins makes the entire unit better, even while he's in the early phases for learning the system and developing chemistry with his QB and fellow offensive players. If you believe Watkins with half a pre-season camp and at 24 years of age has somehow peaked as a player, then any further debate on the matter appears unproductive.

I believe Watkins's current play is worth a Robert Woods-like contract. But I'm willing to pay him more for potential (around $10 million per year). I'm not willing to give him a #1 WR contract.

 

[jrry32]

Why would it be down to that ? Donald will be under contract with his 5'th year option next season, Watkins could become a free agent following this season.

We're idiots if we try to wait another year to pay Donald. We're not the Redskins.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Really puts the Robert Woods deal into perspective who people thought we overpaid for at $8M per. Shrewd move with long term benefits at 5 years.

Robert Woods signed a 5 year, $34,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,800,000.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/robert-woods-12322/

 

[nighttrain]

Robert Woods signed a 5 year, $34,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,800,000.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/robert-woods-12322/

this is where the Rams should start the talks with Watkins
train

 

[wolfdogg]

While that's important, you still have to figure out a way to value that. I just don't value that at $13 million per year.

And deciding that value is the tricky part. Fortunately we have mcvay and others to decide that. Just how comfortable does Sammy make it for him to call the game he wants is crucial because without him I think its obvious he's not calling the same plays through an entire game. And all it takes is one less win to not make the playoffs or to get a playoff home game or even a bye. So if it takes having Sammy here for coach to call whatever he wants, then I think his salary is worth it. If McVvay feels he can call his game without Sammy and without restrictions, then move on but If he gets what seems as a moderately excessive contract, I'll give the rams the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Riverumbbq]

We're idiots if we try to wait another year to pay Donald. We're not the Redskins.

As good as Donald is, even GOAT good, I believe we'd be idiots too sign him long term for a record sum of money a year before necessary.
Ndamukong Suh signed a 6 year, $114,375,000 contract with the Miami Dolphins, $59,955,000 guaranteed, ... and by all reports Donald has every intention of bettering this contract.
Not only is Donald or Suh NOT a QB, how many SuperBowls has Miami reached since Suh signed this contract two years ago ? Miami went 10 - 6 last year and are 4 - 7 this season, worse yet, they are in CAP hell for 2018 and in need of a QB.
Not only do we tie up a ridiculous amount of CAP dollars in a single player for matching or much more likely besting the Suh contract, we have an offensive minded HC who will be hamstrung trying to make any further improvements thru free agency, ... for years. Multiply this by the very real danger of injury, it doesn't come as an especially clever move. As an alternative, when we might have the very same player for 2018 at half his real value and in 2019 & 2020 as a franchise tagged player at a rate likely less than a new contract because he will be evaluated as a top 5 player rather than the overall # 1. Following this method we eliminate any incurred long term injury situations, and we can re-evaluate his skill set as he gets closer to 30 years of age.
jmo.

 

[Riverumbbq]

this is where the Rams should start the talks with Watkins
train

Not if you are serious about keeping him. jmo.

 

[nighttrain]

Not if you are serious about keeping him. jmo.

well what do you think the right # is to start
train

 

[Riverumbbq]

well what do you think the right # is to start
train

I probably start at $10.mil. and deal at $12. Try to include as many incentives as his agent will bend over for. jmo.