The Buffalo Bills traded up to get Sammy Watkins with the fourth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and expect him to become a star in the league. Watkins is currently dealing with a minor glute injury that LeSean McCoy called an "Allen Iverson injury" basically meaning that he's fine and the Bills are just being overly cautious with him. When Watkins has been on the field though he has reportedly been impressive and Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News called him the MVP of training camp.
Watkins came into last season with very high expectations and was able to deliver on those for the most part. The former Clemson star dealt with nagging injuries all season but still was able to play in all 16 games and catch 65 passes for 982 yards and six touchdowns. Watkins' problem is definitely not his talent it is his health and the Bills quarterback situation. Last season Watkins was catching passes from a since retired Kyle Orton and this year the two best options to play quarterback are Matt Cassel who is more of an NFL backup and Tyrod Taylor who is better known for his mobility than his passing ability.
If one of those two quarterbacks can somehow find a way to get Watkins the ball he should be in for a huge year. The reports from training camp are that Watkins is clearly the best player on the field and that he is tearing up a Bills defense that is likely to be very good. Watkins has been going up against Bills top cornerback Stephon Gilmore in practice and has reportedly won that battle easily including making some acrobatic catches.
The Bills will be a run first offense after acquiring McCoy in the offseason as Rex Ryan has said that the offense will have more run plays than anyone has ever seen but there will still be opportunities for Watkins. Watkins is the clear first option for the Bills in the passing game and as much as they want to run the ball the Bills are still going to have to mix in plenty of passing plays to keep opposing defense off balance.
Watkins' injury shouldn't be of concern to Bills fans; the concern should be the ability of Bills quarterbacks to get Watkins the ball. If the quarterbacks play adequately this season in Buffalo the Bills August MVP should be in for a monster season.
