The Buffalo Bills traded up to land super-talented receiver Sammy Watkins in the 2014 NFL Draft. After a down year struggling through a foot injury, Watkins is primed for a make-or-break season in 2017.
Earlier this offseason, the Bills declined Watkins’ fifth-year option, meaning he is eligible for free agency following the upcoming season. Watkins is playing for his next contract now, and with Tyrod Taylor also in what will likely be the final year of his contract, both of the two most important members of Buffalo’s passing game have a lot of incentive to put up big numbers in order to receive big numbers.
In January, Watkins underwent a second surgery on his injured foot. This second surgery happens in about 20% of injuries of this type and hasn’t been detrimental to other receivers who have undergone similar recoveries. The injury caused Watkins to miss eight games in 2016 and seeing him return to full strength would be a welcome addition to a passing attack that ranked 30th in yards in 2016.
Returning from his injury into a brand new offense with so much on the line for him personally has all Bills fans excited to see what Watkins can do in 2017.