The Eagles signed wide receiver Quez Watkins to his four-year rookie contract on Wednesday. Watkins joins fellow sixth-round pick Prince Tega Wanogho as the first two of the team's 10 draft picks to officially sign.
The 200th overall selection, Watkins timed as the second-fastest wide receiver at the NFL Scouting Combine, clocking in at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
A two-time, first-team All-Conference USA selection at Southern Miss, Watkins had 64 catches for a conference-best 1,178 yards (18.5 yards per reception) and six touchdowns in 2019. He finished his college career with 159 receptions for 2,404 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in his three seasons (37 games/23 starts). Watkins also brings punt return experience, scoring an additional touchdown in 2018.
"The Eagles got a steal, I'm just being honest with you," said Southern Miss Head Coach Jay Hopson after the draft. "His upside is tremendous. I think he's a kid you're going to see get better and better and better."
The 6-0, 193-pound Watkins, a native of Athens, Alabama, just turned 21 years old last month. He was the third wide receiver selected by the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft along with first-round pick Jalen Reagor and fifth-round choice John Hightower.
"I'm really not somebody that's going to try to stay off to the side. I'm going to show up to the competition and show everybody what I'm about. Show them I'm ready to play and show them why I'm an Eagle," Watkins said following the draft.
"The practices are going to be, I feel like, up-tempo, and you're going to see a lot of guys just flying around; a lot of 4.3 guys really flying around. A lot of speed, a lot of playmakers."
