Jordan Watkins has clear chance to continue coming out party
· Yahoo Sports
Jordan Watkins was the major bright spot of the 49ers’ defeat to the Atlanta Falcons before their Week 8 bye, as the second-year wide receiver took advantage of the extra opportunities afforded to him by San Francisco’s injuries at the position.
Watkins enjoyed a career day in the Niners’ 29-20 loss in Atlanta, catching three passes for 56 yards as he was targeted six times by Brock Purdy.
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One of Watkins’ targets looked to have gone for a touchdown when he appeared to have made a sensational diving leaping grab over a defender in the corner of the endzone in the fourth quarter, only to have that score wiped away following a replay review
Watkins did not survive the ground having spectacularly managed to get both feet in bounds. Still, his performance in Atlanta is likely to have increased the faith Brock Purdy has in the former fourth-round pick.
And Watkins is likely to have a chance to continue his coming out party as the 49ers return from their bye to face the Las Vegas Raiders, with top receiver Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel looking likely to miss another week.
The 49ers look primed to get Demarcus Robinson back from injury, but there appears to be some doubt around Christian Kirk after he missed Thursday’s practice having only made his season debut against Atlanta.
As such, the prospective absences of Evans, Samuel and perhaps Kirk give Watkins another chance to serve as one of Purdy’s top pass-catching weapons in Week 9.
And the numbers suggest that opportunity is coming against an ideal opportunity.
The Raiders have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, ranking 30th in the league by dropback success rate (47.4%) allowed and 25th in the league by dropback EPA per play.
In other words, the Raiders allowing a little under half of the dropbacks against them to turn into successful plays, while they consistently struggle to prevent explosive passing plays.
For a player with Watkins’ speed, the chance to go up against a defense so vulnerable to the big play represents an enticing matchup. Given the rapport he seemingly has with Purdy, he should view it as a game in which he could put together an even more impressive career day.
With the continuation of the injury problems they are having at receiver, the 49ers would substantially benefit from having Watkins emerge as bonafide dynamic and reliable weapon in the offense. The Las Vegas defense is one that figures to be accommodating to the 49er passing game despite its injuries and, though San Francisco is in a desperate position in terms of options at wideout, for Watkins the conditions are perfect for a fully fledged breakout game.