Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

WR Quez Watkins makes bold prediction about Eagles future

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Aug 2, 2023 1:42 PM ET

Wide receiver Quez Watkins believes he'll prove to be more than just a third option at the position for the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

"I’m an elite receiver, and I feel like after this year and years to come, I’m going to put that on display," a confident Watkins recently declared, as shared by Chris Franklin of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I’m a sixth-round pick, and I’m fighting to be here too. I’m an elite receiver, and I’m supposed to be here. I have to be the guy I’m supposed to be."

Watkins initially joined the Eagles as a sixth-round choice during the 2020 draft but finds himself battling for a roster spot this summer with the likes of free-agency signing Olamide Zaccheaus. Per ESPN stats, Watkins finished last regular season fourth on the Eagles with 33 catches, 51 targets and 354 receiving yards. He was tied for third on the team with three touchdown grabs.

As noted by Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice, Watkins hurt his shoulder in early December and later tallied just a single reception during the playoffs. He was also guilty of a brutal drop during the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs:

.@Eagles @jalenhurts makes a “DIME” of a throw in a shootout up 24-21. Gotta make these plays!!! #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/HSr12O00JJ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) February 13, 2023

blitzer right in his face and Jalen Hurts still unleashed a 40+ yard dart that his Quez Watkins in the hands pic.twitter.com/YbW4GwArI8
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) February 13, 2023

Watkins is in the final year of his rookie contract and could become surplus to requirements in Philadelphia by September. He seems to understand he's facing a "now-or-never" situation as it pertains to his Eagles tenure.

"It’s year four for me and it’s crunch time," he explained. "Honestly, I’m in that mindset that I’m elite, and I’m one of the ones that you should believe will be a force to be reckoned with."

Per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Watkins impressed throughout springtime workouts and during the early days of training camp. Zangaro added on Wednesday that Watkins "is still the WR3 in this offense," but the product of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles has plenty of work to do to hold onto that place on the depth chart through the preseason that begins for the Eagles when they play at the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 12.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads: