It’s not hard to find people calling Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins as the top wide receiver in this year’s draft class and Watkins isn’t going to argue with them.
Watkins said he has “some freakish talents and ability to make plays” during an interview with 95.7 The Game on Tuesday, which explains why he’s expected to be off the board sometime in the first few picks once the draft gets underway in May. Watkins also explained why he thinks he’ll be able to avoid some of the difficulties experienced by other rookie wideouts when they enter the NFL.
“I’m able to transition myself and work through tough conditions,” Watkins said, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “I understand football and the preparation, so for me, it’s getting in with the team I’m with and learn that playbook. That’s all I need to do is really learn that playbook, and after that, just adjusting to the speed of the game and how cornerbacks play in the NFL. That would be the next step. I think after the first few games I’ll be definitely fine.”
Gutierrez thinks Watkins would fit well with the Raiders, who were believed to have interest in DeSean Jackson before Jackson agreed to a deal with the Redskins. Oakland won’t be the only team interested in a man with “freakish talents,” however, and that may leave Watkins unavailable when the Raiders’ fifth overall pick comes up.