Remembering When the Rams Blew the Sammy Watkins Trade With the Bills
By Nick Porr
2017 was a turning point for the Los Angeles Rams. It was coach Sean McVay's first season at the helm, Jared Goff's first full season as starting quarterback, and the team's first appearance in the playoffs since 2004.
Their 11-5 record was a huge stepping stone, as the Rams would make a Super Bowl appearance the following season. Although it was a big year for Los Angeles, not everything went to plan. Most notably, Sammy Watkins was an immense disappointment.
? TRADE ALERT ?#Rams acquire WR Sammy Watkins from the Bills.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 11, 2017
Read details ? » https://t.co/mcjfcLpsBF pic.twitter.com/ymzbXVbhx1
In the summer leading up to the 2017 NFL season, the Rams made a big move by trading for Watkins. The Rams sent cornerback E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Watkins and a 2018 sixth-round pick.
Watkins was expected to be a key receiver on the Rams, but instead of becoming a deep threat like fans hoped, he failed to do much of anything on offense. Watkins finished fourth on the team in receiving yards, with just 593.
Watkins only played 15 games for the Rams. In the summer of 2018, Los Angeles had a choice with their franchise tag. They could either tag Watkins, a disappointment that the team had already invested a second round pick in, or their safety Lamarcus Joyner.
The #Rams are franchise tagging S Lamarcus Joyner. A top safety is kept in the fold. LA will try to keep WR Sammy Watkins, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2018
The Rams chose Joyner, and Watkins went to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. The Bills, on the other hand, were able to pair their 2018 first-round pick and second-round pick with the second-round pick they received from the Rams in order to move up in the draft and select Josh Allen.
In the end, the Bills ended up with their quarterback of the future, and the Rams got one year of a low-usage receiver. Yikes.