Pick up Watkin's option?

[YardRat]

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/234508/sammy-watkins-option-is-no-brainer-but-bills-bigger-decision-looms

Because Watkins was chosen within the first 10 picks of the 2014 draft, his fifth-year option will be equal to the 2017 transition tag amount for a wide receiver, or about $13 million. Assuming the Bills exercise the option by May 2, that 2018 salary will be guaranteed only for injury; it will not become fully guaranteed until the beginning of the 2018 league year next March. That gives Buffalo protection to withdraw the option if Watkins' play declines this season and they decide he is no longer worth the money.

The second decision is trickier: Do they give Watkins a second contract? If so, how early are they willing to offer an extension? Now that Watkins has completed his third season in the NFL, the collective bargaining agreement allows the Bills to renegotiate his contract and extend it. But as long as the Bills exercise Watkins' fifth-year option and keep him under their control until March 2019, when he would become a free agent, there is little urgency for a new deal to get done this year.

[Forward_Lateral]

He hasn't shown anything to prove an early extension necessary. Let him play his contract out.

[SpikedLemonade]

He hasn't shown anything to prove an early extension necessary. Let him play his contract out.

I agree,

[DraftBoy]

He hasn't shown anything to prove an early extension necessary. Let him play his contract out.

He hasn't shown anything? Prior to last year the guy had 2,029 yards receiving and 15 TD's over his first two years. He's showed a bit, but he needs to proves he's fully recovered from his injury and ready to pick up where he left off in 2015. If by mid-season he's looking at another 1,000+ yards, 7+ TD season then you open negotiations immediately imo.

[Skooby]

I'm friends with Sammy on FB and think he's a great player / person. I hope he can stay healthy & earn a new long-term contract, I'm hopeful. They will end up picking up the option year almost assuredly barring injury, we have 2 first round picks into him and no other WR's currently on the roster are near his caliber.

[Cali512]

I like Sammy a lot, but his health has got to get under control. The NFL widely looks at him as a top 10-15 WR when healthy, so I can't say he's a total waste, but he needs to finally put out a full season.

[Mace]

I'm not real confident he'll stay healthy, but we're locked into his "maybe" and pretty much have to find out by exercising his option with the outlet to later decline.

He's going to want big money with an extension and I don't think he's worth the commitment personally. That's not because he doesn't show flashes of awesome, but his durability is questionable, and he doesn't dominate games like elite receivers do. You don't hear "Watkins for that critical third down!!!, "Watkins again !!!"....."Look for them to go to Watkins on this play with the game on the line.....WATKINS AGAIN !"

If he suddenly becomes that guy this year, I'm skeptical because it's extension effort that wasn't there before.

Granted he's handicapped by Taylor as a passer, but that to me just means he might be expensive hubcaps on a 1999 Escort.

Same time we're stuck hoping for his maybe to shine.

Crap situation, imho.

[Cali512]

Our coaching staff has more to blame for his targets in my opinion. We ran the most conservative passing routes I have seen in a long time with the Ryans.

[Joe Fo Sho]

How much money should we be spending on receivers that need to catch 60 passes a year? Over Tyrod's tenure in Buffalo, no receiver has had more than 60 catches in a season. Do we really need to spend $13 million for a receiver to do that?

[Cali512]

How much money should we be spending on receivers that need to catch 60 passes a year? Over Tyrod's tenure in Buffalo, no receiver has had more than 60 catches in a season. Do we really need to spend $13 million for a receiver to do that?


This is the same tenure that Rex has coaches where he has stated that he wants a run offense while his D wins the games. Tyrod has been coached by this staff to be conservative with the ball

[Scumbag College]

I think the Bills are, to use a poker term, "pot committed" to a long term deal with Sammy. Unless he is injured to the point of never being able to fully recover, to use two first round picks on him and just let him walk after his first contract expires would be a terrible organizational decision.

[Joe Fo Sho]

This is the same tenure that Rex has coaches where he has stated that he wants a run offense while his D wins the games. Tyrod has been coached by this staff to be conservative with the ball

We get it, everything was Rex's fault. No player needs to be held accountable for anything they did. Unless it was good, right? Then they were good in spite of Rex.

[Wally The Barber]

Its a guessing game with no real answer. I would wait till mid season

[SpikedLemonade]

Its a guessing game with no real answer. I would wait till mid season

At least.

If he has a HUGE season, he can be franchised if necessary.

[Buddo]

It would be nice to see what he can do, when he's actually fully healthy.

I can't remember what the timescale is from his last surgery on his foot, but I'd like to see him get to TC, ready to go.

Apart from the 'foot', problems, I think he played quite a bit with other issues, in his first couple of years. We tend to forget stuff like that, and the numbers he still put up, are somewhat more impressive when you put them into a wider context.

Assuming he stays healthy, I don't think this will be an issue, either picking up the option, or looking to extend him. It'll just be about when is the best time to do whichever.

[YardRat]

I think it's pretty interesting that if the team does pick up the $13mil option, according to the CBA that comes with language that is the same (or at least very similar) to the language that a lot of people were in a hissy fit about with Taylor and Whaley (injury guarantee).

[Bill Cody]

Sure why not? Extend him for life. Use the 10th pick on a WR. So Tie Rod can tuck and run it, ignore the middle of the field, pure genius.

[Thurmal]

How much money should we be spending on receivers that need to catch 60 passes a year? Over Tyrod's tenure in Buffalo, no receiver has had more than 60 catches in a season. Do we really need to spend $13 million for a receiver to do that?
To be fair, Jerry Rice in his prime probably would've only caught 50 balls with Tyrod Edwards in the pocket.

[Cali512]

We get it, everything was Rex's fault. No player needs to be held accountable for anything they did. Unless it was good, right? Then they were good in spite of Rex.

No. Rex helped the careers of

Zo, Gillislee, and Brown I give credit to rex for

But I give Rex a lot of blame for

Dareus' and Hughes regressing on the field and Darues off
Woods regressing
Taylor not getting better
Preston regressing
And every DB regressing

[Joe Fo Sho]

To be fair, Jerry Rice in his prime probably would've only caught 50 balls with Tyrod Edwards in the pocket.

That's my point. Why waste a lot of money on a talented player if we can't make use of his talent?

This is not a slight at Sammy.

[Joe Fo Sho]

No. Rex helped the careers of

Zo, Gillislee, and Brown I give credit to rex for

What about Shady? What about our #1 running attack? The O-line? None of which was good enough to overcome one of the worst passing games in the NFL. Stupid Rex and his need to throw for no more than 180 yards per game.


But I give Rex a lot of blame for

Dareus' and Hughes regressing on the field and Darues off
Woods regressing
Taylor not getting better
Preston regressing
And every DB regressing

Was anybody bad just because they were bad? Does the Rex excuse apply to the entire team? Was Carpenter bad just because of the pressure Rex put on him? Rex must have caused a lot of our players to forget how to play football.

[justasportsfan]

That's my point. Why waste a lot of money on a talented player if we can't make use of his talent?


They can practice running routes and blocking under Tyrod in the meantime and should be ready once we draft a real qb?

[TacklingDummy]

Drafting Mike Williams means the end of Sammy Watkins.

Unless of course he catches 100 balls, for 1200+ yards, and 10+ TDs.

[Arm of Harm]

Drafting Mike Williams means the end of Sammy Watkins.

Unless of course he catches 100 balls, for 1200+ yards, and 10+ TDs.

One argument in favor of letting Watkins walk is that a good WR will be partially wasted, due to the Bills' lack of a QB. But if we're letting Watkins walk for that reason, then that same reason should argue against drafting Mike Williams.

I'd also point out the Bills were less than 100% successful the last time they used a first round pick on a player named Mike Williams.

[PrimeTime]

He hasn't shown anything to prove an early extension necessary. Let him play his contract out.


I agree,
These are such stupid comments, I don't even know where the **** to start..
Watkins with a Pro QB would be amazing and to not extend him is.. SICKENING!

[PrimeTime]

I think the Bills are, to use a poker term, "pot committed" to a long term deal with Sammy. Unless he is injured to the point of never being able to fully recover, to use two first round picks on him and just let him walk after his first contract expires would be a terrible organizational decision.
THIS!

[TacklingDummy]

These are such stupid comments, I don't even know where the **** to start..
Watkins with a Pro QB would be amazing and to not extend him is.. SICKENING!
Same thing was said about Lee Evans.

[Joe Fo Sho]

One argument in favor of letting Watkins walk is that a good WR will be partially wasted, due to the Bills' lack of a QB. But if we're letting Watkins walk for that reason, then that same reason should argue against drafting Mike Williams.

I'd also point out the Bills were less than 100% successful the last time they used a first round pick on a player named Mike Williams.

Well, not necessary. One benefit to drafting a WR in round 1 is that we get him on the cheap. I would love to keep Sammy on this team for the right price, but there is no way he would sign here for the value that we would get out of him with the type of QB we have. Sammy's too good for us.

Although I do agree, in this case, that we should not draft a WR with our 1st pick.

[Forward_Lateral]

These are such stupid comments, I don't even know where the **** to start..
Watkins with a Pro QB would be amazing and to not extend him is.. SICKENING!

If your aunt had a dick, she'd be your uncle.

[Forward_Lateral]

He hasn't shown anything? Prior to last year the guy had 2,029 yards receiving and 15 TD's over his first two years. He's showed a bit, but he needs to proves he's fully recovered from his injury and ready to pick up where he left off in 2015. If by mid-season he's looking at another 1,000+ yards, 7+ TD season then you open negotiations immediately imo.


1,000 yards and 6-7 TDs in a season isn't hard to find in the NFL.

[Joe Fo Sho]

1,000 yards and 6-7 TDs in a season isn't hard to find in the NFL.

The most difficult thing about getting a receiver 1,000 yards is finding a quarterback who can throw to him.

[DraftBoy]

1,000 yards and 6-7 TDs in a season isn't hard to find in the NFL.

Considering there were only 12 WR's in the NFL who did that last year, I'd say it's pretty difficult.

[Joe Fo Sho]

Considering there were only 12 WR's in the NFL who did that last year, I'd say it's pretty difficult.

The difficulty is finding a QB who is worth their salt in this league. I bet we can all name the QB's that threw to those 12 WR's.

[Arm of Harm]

Well, not necessary. One benefit to drafting a WR in round 1 is that we get him on the cheap. I would love to keep Sammy on this team for the right price, but there is no way he would sign here for the value that we would get out of him with the type of QB we have. Sammy's too good for us.

Although I do agree, in this case, that we should not draft a WR with our 1st pick.

Back when we had Butler, and later TD as our GM, the typical Bills' approach was, "if you draft a CB and he works out well, don't re-sign him. It's too expensive to sign a good CB at the high noon of his career." But the typical approach was also, "If you lose a first round CB to first-contract-and-out, use a first round pick on his replacement."

The thought with all this was that it was often not necessary to use first round picks on attempts to obtain core players. (I'm defining a "core player" as someone who plays at a high level, for your football team, for a long period of time.) Core players were either felt to be unimportant, or else it was felt that first round picks were not a particularly good way of getting them. Hence the willingness to use a first round pick on a player, watch him develop into someone good, allow him to go first-contract-and-out for salary cap reasons, then finally to use a first round pick on his replacement.

Normally, the kind of front office which thinks this way is short-sighted, lacking either the competence or the discipline necessary to build a long-term winner. TD is a perfect example. His focus was on the short-term, without a real plan to build a long-term winner. In 2004 his short-term measures produced some success: a 9-7 record. But in 2005 the Bills went 5-11. Not only that, but the strength of that team was the defense, and the defense was aging. TD was fired after the 2005 season, and rightly so. Just two years later, almost nothing he'd built during his tenure had been retained. And with one or two exceptions, none of the players TD had acquired went on to do much for other teams, after parting ways with the Bills.

There are strong parallels between TD and Doug Whaley. TD's quarterback of the future was J.P. Losman, a guy drafted for his physical tools, not his accuracy or information processing. Exactly the same could be said of E.J. Manuel; Doug Whaley's quarterback of the future. TD acquired almost no building block players through his drafts, and the same has thus far been true of Doug Whaley's drafts. With the departure of Manuel, we have no one left from the 2013 draft. To the extent Whaley's teams have been successful, that success has come through short-term, temporary measures, such as the trade for an aging (but very good) McCoy. Similar high profile player acquisitions--such as signing an aging Lawyer Milloy--were at the heart of TD's fleeting flirtation with success.

During the playoff drought we have known only one type of GM: a shortsighted one. TD, Marv (as GM), Brandon, Nix, and Whaley have all been iterations of that one single theme. Firing Whaley would, in itself, be useless, if his successor is yet another iteration of that same failed theme. Rather than hemming and hawing about whether to fire Whaley, Pegula should be focusing his attention on finding the replacement GM who has the right mix of competence and farsighted focus on building a team to win over the long haul.

[Forward_Lateral]

Considering there were only 12 WR's in the NFL who did that last year, I'd say it's pretty difficult.


But it's a passing league!

[yordad]

If not he will beat our ass as a patriot.

[TacklingDummy]

Pick up the option of a WR in a passing league who can't even break the Top 111 for Reciving yards, break the Top 162 in Receptions, or break the top 120 for TD receptions?

No thanks.

[Arm of Harm]

Pick up the option of a WR in a passing league who can't even break the Top 111 for Reciving yards, break the Top 162 in Receptions, or break the top 120 for TD receptions?

No thanks.


This past season, Sammy Watkins had 430 receiving yards (http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=0&season=2016&seasonType=REG&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=2&conference=null&statisticCategory=RECEIVING&d-447263-p=3&d-447263-s=RECEIVING_YARDS), which means there were 110 players with more receiving yards than him. However, he only played in eight games this past season due to injury. Also, there were times when he'd get open, only to have Taylor simply not see him at all. Or, if Taylor did see him, the pass would often be inaccurate.

Prior to this season, Watkins had only missed a total (http://www.nfl.com/player/sammywatkins/2543457/profile) of three games due to injury. During 2014 - 2015, he averaged slightly over 1000 yards per season. Assuming 2016 is typical, a 1000 yard season should be good enough to put you 20 - 25th rank in terms of receiving yards. That's solid. It's even more solid when you consider the fact that the vast majority of guys who finished in the top 10 in terms of receiving yards were on passing-oriented teams, with very good QBs throwing them the ball. Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Derek Carr each had a WR finish in the top 10 in receiving yards. 1,150 receiving yards is good for a top ten rank. If a guy like Watkins gets 1000 receiving yards, despite playing on a run-oriented offense, with a quarterback well below the caliber of any of the guys I just mentioned, I for one am inclined to believe he's probably just as good as most of the guys getting 1150 yards, who happen to be in much better situations.

[Night Train]

No rush to do anything. Let him prove he can stay healthy first.

Talent, without a doubt. We need to see if that foot will mend properly.

[Arm of Harm]

No rush to do anything. Let him prove he can stay healthy first.

Talent, without a doubt. We need to see if that foot will mend properly.

This wait and see approach may not be an option, at least not for Doug Whaley.

There is a dearth of Whaley-created draft day success stories. As mentioned in another thread, the entire 2013 draft class is now gone. Nothing left from that class on the Bills' roster, unless you count the McCoy trade. Nor have there been very many success stories from other, more recent Whaley drafts.

Whaley used two first round picks on Watkins, in order to take him fourth overall. He simply cannot afford to have Watkins fail. There are too few other draft day success stories, and those stories are minor enough, that there is no cushion from the consequences of letting Watkins go first-contract-and-out. Whaley needs Watkins to be a success, so that he can say he at least came away with something on draft day. From a career perspective, Whaley's one option is to extend Watkins, and to pray to God that Watkins avoids injury.

[Historian]

Rather than hemming and hawing about whether to fire Whaley, Pegula should be focusing his attention on finding the replacement GM who has the right mix of competence and farsighted focus on building a team to win over the long haul.

What he needs to be looking for is a pro personnel guy, and a competent scouting staff.

Something the Bills haven't had since TD squeezed Dwight Adams out the door.

[YardRat]

"That boy runs like his hair's on fire."

[YardRat]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000800338/article/report-bills-hesitant-to-exercise-watkins-2018-option

Report: Bills hesitant to exercise Watkins' 2018 option

[TacklingDummy]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000800338/article/report-bills-hesitant-to-exercise-watkins-2018-option

Report: Bills hesitant to exercise Watkins' 2018 option

"If Buffalo exercises the option, the Bills will shell out around $13 million in 2018, more than double what Watkins is earning in 2017"

Huge gamble. Do you or don't you?
As of right now he's not worth $13 million. That would make him like the 5th highest paid WR in the game.

Draft Mike Williams , if Sammy does well this season they can offer him a contract after their season.

[Night Train]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000800338/article/report-bills-hesitant-to-exercise-watkins-2018-option

Report: Bills hesitant to exercise Watkins' 2018 option



According to Speculation by " Coach Sal " .

Means little. That is a long way off.

[Skooby]

Another flub hitting home for Whaley, how many of these can he survive ?

[PrimeTime]

you idiots cry to much.. these boards giving me a headache. Cry and Whine.. all half of you do.

[YardRat]

"If Buffalo exercises the option, the Bills will shell out around $13 million in 2018, more than double what Watkins is earning in 2017"

Huge gamble. Do you or don't you?
As of right now he's not worth $13 million. That would make him like the 5th highest paid WR in the game.

Draft Mike Williams , if Sammy does well this season they can offer him a contract after their season.

The biggest gamble is triggering the fifth year comes with a guarantee due to injury. Considering his history, I'd be leery of exercising it right now too. As the article stated, they can always do a new deal anytime this season, or tag him next.

[streetkings01]

In my opinion good or bad we pretty much have no choice but to pick up the option.

[stuckincincy]

Considering there were only 12 WR's in the NFL who did that last year, I'd say it's pretty difficult.

Well, teams run 3 WR sets with good frequency, and the TE position is big these days. So the ball is getting spread around.

Also, AJ Green would have made it 13 without getting injured in the first few plays, then out for the season against BUF. And there may have been others like Green on other clubs...dunno.

[Novacane]

you idiots cry to much.. these boards giving me a headache. Cry and Whine.. all half of you do.


Sounds like you crying and whining about others crying and whining to me!

[swiper]

We'll see if this move makes a difference to the Bills:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/17/buccaneers-pick-up-mike-evans-fifth-year-option/

- - - Updated - - -


you idiots cry to much.. these boards giving me a headache. Cry and Whine.. all half of you do.

Hahahaha. pmoon just gave himself away.

[swiper]

First Mike Evans, Now OBJ. Whatcha' going to do Whaley?


Giants picking up Odell Beckham’s 2018 option (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/24/giants-picking-up-odell-beckhams-2018-option/)

[djjimkelly]

we used 2 first rounders on this guy. that almost makes it mandatory to exercise the option.

once again we used 2 first round picks. this is a go down with the ship kind of decision and must be done no matter what.

[Skooby]

we used 2 first rounders on this guy. that almost makes it mandatory to exercise the option.

once again we used 2 first round picks. this is a go down with the ship kind of decision and must be done no matter what.
Would you keep the same Dareus contract knowing what you know now ?? Since the answer is no, then your premise is not accurate.

[sukie]

Mew on picking up the option... Don't care either way.

First off, He's brilliant for 4-5 games a season. Damn good for another 1-2 games... Okay for another... Then Incredible awesome at standing still on the sideline for the remaining games.

What was spent to get him is irrelevant. If they want his 1/2 season of greatness and hope that changes to full (ish) seasons... Then option away.
Optioning him because 2 firsts spent in the past as a reason is silly stoopid.

[Skooby]

Mew on picking up the option... Don't care either way.

First off, He's brilliant for 4-5 games a season. Damn good for another 1-2 games... Okay for another... Then Incredible awesome at standing still on the sideline for the remaining games.

What was spent to get him is irrelevant. If they want his 1/2 season of greatness and hope that changes to full (ish) seasons... Then option away.
Optioning him because 2 firsts spent in the past as a reason is silly stoopid.
It's throwing good assets after bad, you just can't do that.

[djjimkelly]

Would you keep the same Dareus contract knowing what you know now ?? Since the answer is no, then your premise is not accurate.

its very possible that dareus under the new scheme will be a monster. so maybe yes

[sukie]

It's throwing good assets after bad, you just can't do that.
Agreed.

[Skooby]

its very possible that dareus under the new scheme will be a monster. so maybe yes
His ability to perform has been dwarfed by his inability to behave off the field, it'll be a miracle if he makes it through the off-season without something happening.

[SpikedLemonade]

I just think it is a waste of resources to pick up his option at this time.