Can Rams’ Watkins take advantage of banged up Saints’ defense in Week 12?

With the Los Angeles Rams in need of a big win, it’s time for Sammy Watkins to step up in the passing game.

After seeing what the Los Angeles Rams gave up in 2016 to move up in the NFL Draft to land Jared Goff at No. 1, the organization understood the only way to get the best from their quarterback this season was to build a better offense. And while the Rams certainly took advantage of free agency and this year’s NFL Draft to do so, one of the biggest moves made by the team came in the preseason when they acquired Sammy Watkins in a trade from the Buffalo Bills.

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When looking at all of the inconsistency and injuries surrounding the former Clemson star over the years, the Bills didn’t hesitate to move on from Watkins when given the opportunity by the Rams, which was interesting when considering the team moved up in the first round to land him back in 2014. Still, Buffalo made it clear just how frustrated they were with Watkins by declining to pick up his fifth-year option in the offseason, but at the end of the day, a fresh start in Los Angeles seems to be paying off for the wideout.

His numbers (24 catches for 408 yards with four touchdowns) may not seem all of that great on paper, but also keep in mind that opposing defenders focusing on the whereabouts of Watkins has benefitted some of his teammates when it comes to getting open down the football field. But with the Rams all of a sudden dealing with an injury to Robert Woods (shoulder) along with the Saints playing Sunday’s game without Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley, Week 12 seems like a perfect breakout opportunity for Watkins.

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There’s no question Watkins has the talent to be one of the league’s most dangerous receivers when he gets rolling on offense, and chances are Goff will heavily be relying on the No. 1 wideout once Sunday’s game against the Saints gets underway. With Los Angeles in need of a win against New Orleans to help remain ahead of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West standings, Watkins finds himself in the perfect position to continue showing he was worth trading for if he comes up big on offense Sunday afternoon.