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KC Chiefs: Are fans in midst of career year for Sammy Watkins?

By Shade Piper

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins #14 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins #14 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Sammy Watkins had a career day on Sunday amassing 198 yards and three touchdowns. This has not only KC Chiefs fans, but the whole league wondering can this be the new expectation for Watkins.

Now obviously Sammy Watkins isn’t going to put up 198 yards and three touchdowns every week for the Kansas City Chiefs, but can he consistently put up wide receiver one quality numbers and be a reliable option week after week for Patrick Mahomes? Yes and Yes.

Sammy Watkins came into the season saying that he was feeling the best he’s ever felt and that he would have his best season yet. There is no questioning Watkins’ talent, it has always been a question of will he be healthy or not.

If he really is feeling the best he’s ever felt and can stay healthy, you have to believe him that he will have his best season yet. On Sunday he looked healthy and he had a good “I told you so game.” He had the best game of his career and if he can build off of that, this looks like it could be his best season yet just like he told us.

Watkins looked incredible in week one, he was playing fast, breaking tackles, creating separation, and of course, scoring touchdowns. On his 68-yard touchdown on the third play of the game, he was actually clocked in at 21.33 MPH, which was good enough for eighth fastest of any player going back to the start of last season, according to next-gen stats.

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Plays like that are what make me believe Watkins can continue his high level of play. 21.33 MPH is faster than I am legally allowed to drive down my home street. On another play he stomped on the brakes and watched a defender fly by him to turn what should’ve been about a nine-yard gain into a 24-yard gain.

We’ve talked about two incredible plays so far, but neither was his most impressive play of the game. He also had two more touchdowns including one where he created enough separation that there was barely a defender on the screen when he caught it and another tough reception against Jalen Ramsey, but neither of these was his most impressive play either.

His most impressive play of the day may not have looks that great in the stat books but was unbelievable to watch in live-action. It came on a screen pass in which Watkins should’ve been tackled for a six-yard loss, but instead was able to maneuver his way around to the other side of the field weaving through defenders to turn a six-yard loss into a five-yard gain.

Watkins gained 141 yards after the catch (YAC)  in week one which was well well over halfway to his total YAC from last season. His 141 YAC was good enough for an average of over 15 YAC per catch. The displays his excellent speed, elusiveness, and ball carrier vision.

His three touchdowns also matched his total from last season already and he’s already a fifth of the was to his target total from last season, a fourth of the was to his reception total, and over one-third of his way to his yardage total from last year in just one game against one of the leagues best defenses.

Watkins looks great and if he can stay healthy nothing is stopping him not only from having HIS best season, but maybe even being one of the best receivers in the league this year. The Chiefs are going to need him to step it up with Tyreek Hill set to miss time and he looks ready to do just that.

Wakins looks primed for a career year and I can’t wait to witness it. This could be a magical year not only for Watkins personally but for the entire franchise.

What do you think Chiefs Kingdom? Can Sammy Watkins keep this up?

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