The first cousin of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins, UAB’s Austin Watkins, Jr. is a quality NFL prospect in his own right. The talented senior wideout accepted his invitation t0 the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl and will look to build on his buzzy resume that includes a spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list.
Watkins checked in a No. 45 on that list because of his unofficial 4.47 speed and reported 500-pound squat.
Through seven games this season, Watkins has 33 catches for 466 yards and three scores, stats that are down from his breakout 2019 season when he registered 57 catches for 1,092 yards and six scores. There’s still time left in the season for Watkins to pad his numbers a bit, and you can check his year-to-date stats here.
Physically, Watkins offers teams an impressive body-type at 6-1, 207 pounds. He carries his weight exceptionally well with thick legs and a bulky upper half. His physical stature allows him to bully smaller defensive backs, both during his route and after the catch. He’s a fun watch with the ball in his hands.
Athletically, Watkins has legitimate juice and should develop into a player who can generate consistent separation in the NFL once his route-running becomes more polished. With the physical gifts Watkins possesses, he doesn’t need to be a well-schooled route-runner on every rep at UAB. Instead, he’s just bigger and faster than the defensive backs he’s facing this year.
Speaking of route-running, Watkins flashes high-end ability with his sudden athletic traits. He just has to prove he can explode into and out of sharp breaks at a more consistent rate. His development will be fun to watch; Watkins is going to get reps next season because of his big-play ability (he averaged over 19 yards per catch in 2019), but if he’s serious about his craft in 2021, his upside is as high as any receiver’s in the class.
Watkins has reliable and strong hands. Good luck to defensive backs in contested situations with him. More often than not, he wins those battles. He profiles as an immediate red-zone weapon in his rookie season.
With a big week of practices at the Senior Bowl, Watkins will be one of the bigger risers during draft season. He has an athletic profile that should allow him to make a positive impression at the NFL Combine, and if he runs well and shines against quality competition in Mobile, Alabama, he’ll work his way into Day 2.
I like Watkins quite a bit. In another loaded wide receiver draft, Watkins will make a team very happy as a third-round pick who’s capable of contributing on offense early in his career.
GRADE: 7.0 (third round)
