Packers signing free agent Sammy Watkins to one-year deal

The Packers are signing free agent Sammy Watkins.

The Green Bay Packers have made their first move at wide receiver.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers are signing free agent Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.

The key part there is “worth up to”. It doesn’t necessarily mean the deal is worth $4 million, but likely includes incentives to get there.

It’s a low-risk move for the Packers, who are getting a veteran wide receiver. A reliable pass catcher who could slot in as the number two or three option in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

LaFleur was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the season Watkins played there in 2017. That season, Watkins made 39 catches for 593 yards and eight touchdowns.

While Watkins can help Green Bay’s offense, the work is far from done at wide receiver.

The team still needs a WR1 and WR2, whether that comes via the draft, free agency, or a trade. In an ideal situation, Watkins would be either the WR3 or WR4 along with Allen Lazard.

As things stand, Green Bay’s top five wide receivers are (in no particular order): Watkins, Lazard, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree.

That’s a talented group, but more work is needed.

This offseason, the Packers have lost Davante Adams (trade), Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown (both free agency).

Watkins can be a good deep threat for the Packers, something they lost following Valdes-Scantling’s departure.

The big question is whether Watkins can stay healthy. The former fourth overall pick has only played every game in the regular season once, back in his rookie year in 2014. He played 13 games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 and 10 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

What are your thoughts on this signing for the Packers? Should this change the team’s approach at wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft?