When the Buffalo Bills traded up to the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, it was not without a substantial price. Sammy Watkins cost the Bills a first-round pick next year as well, which meant that they hoped to get the most they could out of the draft's best playmaker.
On Sunday, Watkins led the Bills in targets, receptions and receiving yards. Kyle Orton admitted to reporters after the 17-16 win over the Vikings that, regardless of the look, his game-winning touchdown as time expired was going to Watkins.
"I was going to Sammy, I was going to go to Sammy," Orton said, via the team's site. "He was doing a good job for us. We had beaten those guys on some slants earlier so we thought we had a good look to hit that play. He ran a great route and a nice catch."
The game, which has allowed the Bills to tread some water in the AFC East, also seemed to legitimize the gutsy move on draft day. Among wide receivers, Watkins is in the top 20 in total receiving yards (433) and is tied for 15th in touchdowns among all pass catchers (four).
Considering that he is one of the very few threats on Buffalo's offense and that Orton is the quarterback feeding him the ball, his numbers are loftier than expected.
If the Bills can surround him with another target in the near future, Watkins could elevate to another level soon.
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