5 former high draft pick free agents the Chicago Bears can sign
By Ryan Heckman
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The Chicago Bears could sign free agent wide receiver Sammy Watkins
Once upon a time, the Bears signed Allen Robinson during the same offseason the Kansas City Chiefs signed former no. 4 overall pick Sammy Watkins. Both guys got similar money, but neither one had the overall production worthy of that money. Robinson at least had some good years for the Bears, but Watkins never panned out in Kansas City.
In three seasons with the Chiefs, Watkins caught 129 passes for 1,613 yards and eight touchdowns. Last season, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as more of a number two or three option for Lamar Jackson.
Watkins came into the league as an ultra-quick, prototypical number one wide receiver. However, he’s only tallied one season with over 1,000 receiving yards and has never had double-digit touchdowns. Still, he feels like a guy that could help Justin Fields — at least, much more so than a Dazz Newsome or Equanimeous St. Brown.
As a third or fourth option, the Bears can’t go wrong with Watkins. He’s still fast, and he’s a bigger target at 6-foot-1, 211 pounds. If Watkins is up for another 1-year deal like he signed a year ago, the Bears would do well signing him. Maybe, Poles is aiming to take a receiver in this draft and then go after another one in 2023. The patience has been on display, and for this season, Watkins could be a great stopgap at the position.