Waston’s return provides depth and sets the Chiefs’ draft approach
The Chiefs re-signed one of their main offensive contributors wide receiver Justin Watson on a two-year contract Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
WR Justin Watson is signing back with the #Chiefs on a 2-year deal, per his agent @JLSports3.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2023
The two-time world champion Watson put together a career-best 15 catches for 315 yards and 2 receiving TDs on 34 targets across 17 regular-season appearances in 2022, his first year paired with MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes helping the team win Super Bowl LVII recording 2 catches for 18 yards. Now back with the Chiefs on a two-year deal, Watson figures to reprise his role as a rotational deep-threat option. Watson has grown significantly in his five years as a professional, and in year one with the Chiefs, it earned him an extension.
Justin Watson beats JC Jackson one on one for the TD! pic.twitter.com/tCk5Rc5oBz
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) September 16, 2022
The Chiefs now have Watson, MVS, Toney, Moore, James, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Justyn Ross, and Cornell Powell at receiver. It doesn’t rule out the team from pursuing a receiver with their first three picks in the top 100, like SMU’s Rashee Rice, Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman, Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson, or Mississippi’s (Ole Miss) Jonathan Mingo.
JWATTTTTTT
— Kadarius Toney (@0fficialC2N) April 14, 2023
Watson (6-3, 215) has played in 57 games (9 starts) in five NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2022) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-21). His career numbers include 38 catches for 573 yards (15.1 avg.) with 4 touchdowns. With the Buccaneers, Watson played in 40 games recording 23 receptions for 258 yards (11.2 avg.) with 2 touchdowns and helping the Buccaneers defeat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. He originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick (144th overall) of the Buccaneers in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania.
