Eagles WR Quez Watkins Gleaming with Confidence: 'I'm Elite!'
PHILADELPHIA - There were a couple of wow moments at Philadelphia Eagles training camp on Tuesday.
The most obvious came on the field during the first padded practice of the summer, namely Jalen Hurts’ 60-yard home run to A.J. Brown and undrafted rookie cornerback Mekhi Garner reminding observers that football remains a physical game with a hit on receiver Charleston Rambo that defensive coordinator Sean Desai might call “palpable.”
Off the field, fourth-year receiver Quez Watkins added to splashiness when talking to reporters after practice, proclaiming “I’m an elite receiver.”
Watkins, 25, self-scouted himself as having a disappointing season last year behind the Eagles’ two proven elite receivers: Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni did his best to prop up Watkins in the offseason but the Eagles also brought in an insurance policy in the form of Olamide Zaccheaus, the ex-Atlanta receiver who grew up in the Philadelphia area.
Back in the spring, Sirianni singled out Watkins as having an excellent offseason.
“I have no problem singling one guy out that I think has just done a phenomenal job this offseason is Quez Watkins,” Sirianni said. “I love his attitude, and I’ve said this to him, and I have no problem saying it here, some people around here — and it’s not in this building, we have a ton of confidence in Quez Watkins — but I kind of sense from him [a feeling that] — he’s never said this — but oh, some people think I stink? Wait. Wait.
“That’s how he’s attacked every day. That’s how he’s attacked practices, and I think that he looks really good.”
Watkins confirmed that chip on his shoulder when talking with SI.com’s Eagles Today.
“Most definitely. I always keep a chip on my shoulder, but coming off last season, I definitely got one,” Watkins said.
Watkins really stood out in Sunday’s practice and he’s seemingly kept Zaccheaus at arm’s length through the first week of camp.
“It’s competition. This is the big leagues. You gotta play ball.” Watkins said of Zaccheaus’ presence. “It’s not about what you did last year, the year before. It’s what you’re doing now.”
Entering a contract year, Watkins understands it’s now or never for him in Philadelphia. He admitted the uncertainty affects him “a little bit, but you play ball. That’s what we’re here for.”
And the end game is playing with no regrets.
“Being one with yourself, being at peace with yourself, and not caring what the outside people say,” Watkins said of his mindset. “Having confidence in yourself, that’s what I have right now.”
And the results of that have generated high expectations for Watkins.
“S***, we in Year 4. It’s crunch time,” said Watkins. “Honestly, I’m in that mindset of ‘I’m elite, I’m one of the ones who should be reckoned with.’”
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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen
