Sammy Watkins
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
(Ben Margot)
Orchard Park, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills selected East Carolina wide receiver Zay Jones with their second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but Sean McDermott said it does not impact the team's upcoming decision on Sammy Watkins' fifth-year option.
"It doesn't," McDermott said. "It doesn't at all. Sammy's a good football player. Those are two separate silos."
While the Buffalo News reported the Bills are unlikely to pick up the option on Watkins by the May 2 deadline, that decision is one made out of concern over his inability to stay healthy. Adding Jones won't impact Watkins directly.
It's important to note that the Bills wouldn't be giving up on Watkins by declining the fifth-year option. The former No. 4 overall pick would make $13.258 (guaranteed for injury) in 2018 if the Bills picked up the option. If they decline the option, Watkins would be eligible to become a free agent after the 2017 season, but the Bills could still place the franchise tag on Watkins. That would be more expensive than the option, but it gives the Bills the luxury of time to make the decision.
However, the Bills currently control Watkins for three years. If they decline the option, they would only control his rights for two years.
Buffalo isn't exactly loaded at wide receiver outside of Watkins. In fact Jones, who has been a Bill for less than an hour, is probably the team's most talented receiver outside of Watkins. McDermott isn't tied to Watkins, however, because general manager Doug Whaley is the one who sold the farm for Watkins back in 2014.
McDermott has preached that everyone has to earn the right to win, and he might end up making Watkins earn his next contract.