It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears are going to draft a wide receiver. It comes down to when. They have too many question marks at the position not to. Allen Robinson on the franchise tag. Anthony Miller on the trade block. There isn’t a lot of long-term stability in that group. So who might they be eyeing when the draft rolls around? Maybe the next Anquan Boldin?
For those who don’t remember, Boldin was one of the better wide receivers of the 2000s. He was a model of consistency, topping 800 or more yards in 10 consecutive seasons. He scored 82 touchdowns, finished with 13,779 yards, made three Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl in 2012 with Baltimore. His 380 yards and four touchdowns during that playoff run was one of the most impressive performances a receiver has ever had.
Now it appears the Bears are talking to his spitting image.
According to Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron, the team met with UAB receiver Austin Watkins Jr. A productive player in college with over 1500 yards and nine touchdowns in 21 games, he really started turning heads at the Senior Bowl. There he was spotted routinely outrunning or outmuscling defensive backs during drills. One person who wasn’t surprised is former NFL receiver James Jones who compared Watkins to Boldin.
“You’re talking about a big, physical, explosive receiver that can get in and out of his breaks and make any catch you want him to make. He reminds me of a guy that I tried to model my game after and that is Anquan Boldin. Anquan Boldin was one of my favorite receivers to ever do it and that is what Austin Watkins Jr. reminds me of.”
High praise indeed. Watching Watkins work, the similarities are hard to miss. He’s a strong young man who can play physical. He doesn’t go down easy after the catch and exhibits a pair of strong hands. His speed is also somewhat overlooked. While not a burner, he can catch defenses by surprise if they aren’t careful. The primary concern evaluators have with him is his tendency to not work back to the football on underthrows or curls and a tendency to lose track of deep shots.
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UAB WR Austin Watkins confirms to me he has met with the #Bears.
One of my favorite sleepers at receiver in this class. Precise route runner who stood out at the Senior Bowl.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 9, 2021
If Watkins is the next Anquan Boldin? The Bears will get a steal
Current projections are the UAB receiver will likely go somewhere between the 3rd and 5th rounds. Nowhere near the same hype that Boldin got back in 2003 when he went in the 1st. If Watkins ends up being anything like him? Then whichever team gets him in that area of the draft is getting a monumental bargain. The truth is it’s difficult to gauge what he will be at the next level. Watkins didn’t play against a lot of top tier competition.
His talent is made for the NFL but whether he maximizes it remains to be seen. Anquan Boldin was a star from the beginning. It might take longer for him to reach a similar level of success. That said, Watkins could end up making a strong pairing with the speedy Darnell Mooney presuming Robinson is gone after this season as many expect. If nothing else, he’d be a worthwhile investment at a position of need.
The fact Chicago is eyeing him might send another signal.
That perhaps they’re reserving their higher picks for other positions. Maybe a quarterback? The rumors have continued to fly for weeks now. Adding a young QB in the 1st round and Watkins later on would be a smart bit of planning by the Bears. Add the arm and then look to secure him as many future weapons as possible. It’s at least encouraging to see the team is doing their research carefully. Watkins should be a good football player, even if he doesn’t end up being the next Boldin.