Future is bright for Bills second-year receiver Sammy Watkins

Strengths: The Buffalo Bills receiver always has looked the part. At South Fort Myers High School in Florida, he became the all-time leading receiver in Lee County with 133 receptions for 2,997 yards and 36 TDs. He also was a standout in track, winning the 200-meter AA state title, and in basketball. In 2011 at Clemson, he became only the fourth true freshman in NCAA history to earn first-team All-America honors, joining Herschel Walker, Marshall Faulk and Adrian Peterson. He became the fourth overall pick after running a 4.43 in the 40, with a 34-inch vertical and 16 reps in the 225-pound bench. Watkins has the body and the athletic ability of a prototypical receiver, and with world-class speed, he is a game-breaker. Scouts cite hands among Watkins’ many gifts.

Weaknesses: Despite being the top receiver drafted last season, Watkins has been overshadowed by Odell Beckham and Mike Evans. He has not had a 1,000-yard season, needing 173 more this season. Watkins has had four 100-yard games, but they have all come the past seven weeks. He ranks third in the NFL in receiving yards since the Bills’ bye week in Week 8. Watkins battled glute and ankle injuries earlier this season, which slowed him. He still has room to improve as a route runner, but he is only 22 with a bright future.

Who has to stop him? The Cowboys rank sixth against the pass. Quarterbacks have targeted Brandon Carr 70 times, with Carr allowing 41 catches for 522 yards and no TDs. He has five pass breakups. Morris Claiborne, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, has allowed 32 catches on 55 targets for 493 yards and two TDs. He has seven pass breakups. Byron Jones, who started for Claiborne on Saturday, has allowed 32 receptions on 60 targets for 511 yards with four TDs and eight pass breakups. Nickel corner Terrance Mitchell gave up four catches for 25 yards and a TD with two pass breakups and an interception in his Cowboys debut.

Notable: Watkins had a career-high 168 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. It was the most receiving yards by a Buffalo player since Terrell Owens had 197 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. … Watkins’ 1,809 career yards are the most for a Bills player in his first two seasons.