There’s nothing like the first week of Preseason, where fantasy football fans to start gush over the flash in the pan plays as the long wait for the NFL season is finally coming to an end. Take a look at the play below that has hyped Quez Watkins into being one of the most added waiver wire pickups this week.
Eagles WR Quez Watkins can flat out FLY 💨 💨 💨 pic.twitter.com/8l26sk2Q4y
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 13, 2021
In this one play, Quez illustrates all of the traits that entice football fans (and front offices) to pay attention: speed. As Quez hype continues, let’s examine if drafting him in late rounds of redraft leagues makes for a good bet.
College Production and Draft Capital
Quez Watkins was selected in the 6th-round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the same draft the Eagles took Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson. Quez’s lack of production in college was the reason for such low draft capital, despite a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Quez’s speed is probably the reason why he was drafted, since his entire college career he only had 159 receptions and 2,404 yards over three years. However digging a bit deeper, one can see some other notable attributes to his game, even in college. Southern Mississppi is not an offensive powerhouse fielding NFL starters. Still, Quez posted a respectable 15.1 YPR and 17 TDs.
Tangibles
Quez’s game is entirely based off of his speed as evident by his rookie season. He was constantly pressed or jammed at the LOS. Quez never got the coaching to beat press coverage, which limited his ability to gain vertical speed. Couple that with the bad play of the Eagles offensive line reducing the time to throw, a vertical stretch player such as Quez will not flourish.
However, the Eagles revamped their coaching staff by hiring former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni as their new head coach. Early Eagle camp hype and highlights are showing improved coaching and Quez taking full advantage of this new coaching style. Take a look at the camp videos below and the one highlight (though an incompletion) from the first preseason game.
Quez Watkins beats Patriots JC Jackson down the sideline for a TD from Jalen Hurts
Eagles fans going wild. And he signals TD. Bill Belichick not happy pic.twitter.com/HZsznUDNRq
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 16, 2021
Quez Watkins. AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/JqBy1MVG51
— Pierre (@PierreB3_) August 16, 2021
Jalen Hurts just misses Quez Watkins!#Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/NZQi4f9KHs
— Brodes Media (@BrodesMedia) August 12, 2021
The first two videos are from Eagle-Patriot joint practices with Quez playing against JC Jackson, a top NFL corner. In the first video, Quez gets a free release and easily torches Jackson. More impressive is the second video, where Quez fights through the JC Jackson jam at the LOS (line of scrimmage) and gains separation to make the catch. In the first preseason game highlight you see Quez use his speed to gain vertical separation, but only for the pass to be overthrown.
The other vastly important point is that in each of the three highlights above, Jalen Hurts is throwing Quez the ball. While DeVonta Smith was slowed by an injury, Quez is getting quality reps with Hurts. Couple that with the work ethic Quez has shown all summer, you could have a deep sleeper gaining hype.
Quez Watkins from yesterday's workout with Jalen Hurts.
His cuts look more fluid. Good footwork, sink in hips, and explosion out of the cut. Promising!#Eagles (from @CoachBrown_MDN) pic.twitter.com/3tOQwcMYgY
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) June 27, 2021
Situation
The Eagles have 10 wide receivers as of Aug. 18th. That is a lot of competition, especially when two of those wide receivers have first round draft capital in Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith. It is safe to assume Quez is not overtaking either of those two to start the season. Quez is listed as the second depth WR3 on the Eagles depth chart behind Greg Ward.
It is plausible to see Quez gain playing time in 3WR sets starting in Week 1. The Eagles ran a 3WR set 59% of the time last year, but that number is likely to increase. With potentially better offensive line play and Nick Sirianni’s Colts running 3WR sets 69% of times in 2020, there is positive regression to the number of 3WR sets for the 2021 Eagles. Quez has the opportunity to see the field a lot in 2021.
Fantasy Football Verdict
Quez Watkins reminds me of another speedy Eagles wide receiver who had immense fantasy football relevance: DeSean Jackson. Quez has a similar body, build, and speed as DeSean Jackson. If the Eagles utilize Quez as they utilized DeSean in his prime, Quez can be successful.
If you are drafting in Rounds 10+, take the upside pick of Quez Watkins to replicate prime DeSean Jackson numbers. The late round flier may help push your team to a championship, especially if your league gives bonus points for 40+ yard receptions and touchdowns.
