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The beginning of NFL free company in 2021 was sizzling and heavy for many positions, the important thing phrase right here being “most.” It was something however for extensive receivers, who had been pressured to attend for his or her market to warmth up, and it is now starting to. Curtis Samuel has joined the Washington Soccer Staff, Kenny Golladay landed an enormous four-year take care of the New York Giants and JuJu Smith-Schuster surprised the NFL in deciding to wave off the next payday to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it is the latter that put the Ravens in a troublesome spot.
They had been hoping to land Smith-Schuster and whiffed on that try, now shifting their focus to Sammy Watkins — having reportedly arrange a gathering with Watkins this week, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. With mutual curiosity present between the 2, the Ravens are hoping he can one way or the other be the (an?) reply to their obtrusive lack of receiving weapons for former league MVP Lamar Jackson.
After assembly with the Ravens on Tuesday, Watkins will then head to Indianapolis to satisfy with the Colts, Rapoport also reported. The Titans and Texans have additionally expressed curiosity in Watkins, in response to Rapoport.
Watkins started his NFL profession because the fourth-overall choose for the Buffalo Bills in 2014, and rapidly used his pace to make a reputation for himself. He reeled in 2,029 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his first two seasons, however was then slowed tremendously by harm in Yr 3 — lacking eight common season video games with a fracture in his foot that required surgical procedure to restore — happening to finally half methods with Buffalo once they traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. It was a brief keep in California, nevertheless, Watkins spending solely eight video games in L.A. earlier than signing a three-year, $48 million contract that defeated the in-pursuit Dallas Cowboys on the time.
He by no means regained prime kind in Kansas Metropolis, routinely lacking time — roughly a whole season’s value of normal season video games (14) — attributable to harm, as a substitute changing into a rotational piece greater than a dynamic, constant playmaker. With Tyreek Hill on the roster, Watkins was hoped to be the complementary piece, however that function has since been awarded to Mecole Hardman. His stint with the Chiefs was additionally blackened by a workforce suspension levied in 2019, however the two sides opted to stay collectively following the Super Bowl-winning season in 2020, however he is now a free agent in search of a brand new NFL dwelling.
Watkins delivered 1,613 receiving yards and eight touchdowns for the Chiefs during the last three seasons mixed. In Baltimore, Watkins would assist complement Marquise Brown and tight finish Mark Andrews. The Ravens are additionally hoping for extra productive this season from Devin Duvernay, who caught 20 of 26 targets throughout his rookie season.
In Indianapolis, Watkins would assist substitute T.Y. Hilton, a four-time Professional Bowler who’s presently on the open market. Watkins would supply a veteran presence for a younger Colts receiving corps that features Michael Pittman Jr. and Zach Pascal. The Colts are absolutely making an attempt to get extra weapons for Carson Wentz, who was acquired through a commerce with the Eagles earlier this offseason.
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