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Five Senior Bowl WRs for the Washington Football Team to target

By Jacob Troutman

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Amari Rodgers #3 of the Clemson Tigers catches a 67-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Amari Rodgers #3 of the Clemson Tigers catches a 67-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 21: Austin Watkins #6 of the UAB Blazers runs for a first down against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 21: Austin Watkins #6 of the UAB Blazers runs for a first down against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

3. WR Austin Watkins UAB

Like Nico Collins, Austin Watkins has a very solid frame at 6’3″, 210 pounds. He also has an NFL bloodline. He is the cousin of Kansas City Chiefs WR, Sammy Watkins. Watkins had his breakout season during his junior year. He totaled over 1,000 yards. However, due to a shorter season and poor QB play, he saw his total drop to 466 in 2020. Despite that, the mark still led the team.

With that said, he needed to impress at Mobile. And that he did. He showed that he is a solid athlete. He explodes off the line and couples it with some quality long speed. He combines this explosiveness with the ability to get in and out of his breaks quickly. He knows how to create separation. He pays attention to the details.

Watkins also has very strong hands, evidenced by his rather strong ability to get the ball at the catch point. He caught almost every ball that came his way at the Senior Bowl. He shows an ability to go up and get it in traffic as well as go low to catch the ball before hitting the turf.

Drops do not project to be a problem for Watkins.

However, he is not without his flaws. His athleticism is good, not great, and he lacks elite change of direction to be a true threat after the catch. And the competition he faced can also be brought into question. While his tape is impressive, how will he handle the step up in talent from the C-USA to the NFL?

Watkins seems very pro-ready; he is a smart football player, who already shows an advanced ability to get in and out of his breaks. How high his ceiling is as a prospect? That remains to be seen, but he is another Day 3 option for the Washington Football Team to consider.

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