Packers: Sammy Watkins is due for a massive season

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sammy Watkins is set for a big season.

Sammy Watkins has been through it all in his eight-year NFL career.

He has had success. From recording 2,000 receiving yards in his first two career seasons in Buffalo, to being a key contributor for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs during their Super Bowl run.

Watkins has also fought through a lot of injuries in his career. He has only played a full season once. But the former Clemson Tiger is still here in the league. He is still playing.

Now in his ninth season, he has a real chance for a breakout season with the Green Bay Packers.

His familiarity with head coach Matt LaFleur and wide receivers coach Jason Vrable is key. Also, he’ll be catching passes from the greatest thrower the game has ever seen in Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers had this to say about Sammy Watkins on Tuesday after the first day of mandatory minicamp:

“There’s definitely going to be opportunities for him to make plays for us in this offense,” Rodgers said.

“I think he has everything right in front of him to have as productive a year as he wants to.”

You can tell that No. 12 is excited to play with Watkins, who had this to say about his role in the offense and what he hopes to do:

“I just kind of look at what Davante Adams and this offense has been doing and seeing how can I fit into it, how can I play hard, and how I can play my best ball and just do whatever I can in my might to help this team,” Watkins said.

It is clear that the former Super Bowl champion will be looking to take on the role that Adams held in the Packers’ offense.

Watkins is looking to become Rodgers’ top option. He can run every route. He is going into 2022 fully healthy, playing for familiar coaches, and catching passes from an all-time great.

Watkins is due for a big season — 1,000 yards is definitely attainable in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Watkins has a chance to do exactly that. It would be his first such season since 2015.

This Packers receiving corps is going to make up for the losses of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling collectively.

You have a player like Watkins, who definitely has the talent and ability to be the No.1 WR. You have a player in Allen Lazard who does everything well. He can be the top option if need be, but he is also one of the best run-blocking receivers in the game.

Randall Cobb has the trust of Aaron Rodgers in the slot. They’ve known each other forever. That connection will be reliable. Second-year Amari Rodgers will learn from Cobb but could also be a quicker option that can be used for jet sweeps and pre-snap motions to confuse the defense.

Second-round pick Christian Watson has such a unique skill set. He is 6-4 but has 4.3 speed. Those types of players don’t come around very often. He is capable of making all kinds of splash plays. He can take WR screen 75 yards to the house. He can take a hand-off to the end zone. He will be the gadget player for LaFleur.

Fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs plays bigger than he is. He is 6-2 but plays like he is 6-5. He has very soft hands and can line up anywhere.

He is going to be wearing the No. 87. All Packers fans remember how special Jordy Nelson was at running deep. Doubs could be a big-bodied option for Rodgers down the field.

Those are the locks on the roster for the Packers’ receivers. But it will start with Sammy Watkins and his season redemption.