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Denver Broncos: Ranking the top five wide receivers in the AFC West

By Andrew Wade

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams runs past Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans during the first half of game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams runs past Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans during the first half of game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs

Sammy Watkins is on the list purely on speculative potential. Playing alongside Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce should open some large windows for Watkins. Combine that with his big-play ability and Mahomes’ big arm, this could be a match made in heaven.

If it doesn’t work out, Kansas City will be stuck with an oft-injured player who never fully met his potential on a monster contract.

Upon getting drafted out of Clemson with the fourth overall pick, Watkins had a quietly good first two seasons in the league. He posted 65 and 60 receptions along with 982 yards and 1,047 yards receiving in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, the wheels fell off the train as he couldn’t find the field due to injuries resulting in the lowest catch total of his career, 28.

That offseason, Watkins was jettisoned to the Rams in exchange for picks and a player. While the Rams offense became an overnight juggernaut under the tutelage of Sean McVay, Watkins was the lone wolf not producing. Part of this was by design and part of this is somewhat of an unknown.

Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods shined in Jared Goff’s second season under center. Much of this was due to the attention Watkins would draw from opposing defenses over the top. Even with this intentional game planning, Watkins still managed to score eight touchdowns on only 39 catches.

2018 will be a big season for the former first rounder, and if he can stay healthy, I have a feeling he will be giving the AFC West defenses a tough time for the next few years.

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