Tight end Benjamin Seth Watson, a first-round pick (32nd overall) of the New England Patriots in the 2004 NFL draft, has been in the National Football League for 12 seasons. The 6’3″ tight end would be thought of as more of a blocker than a pass catcher early in his career. That said, while he wasn’t necessarily the focal point of the offense, he did catch his fair share of balls, registering two seasons where he had over 30 receptions (2006 and 2007) and posting a career high of 643 yards in 2006.
Watson became a free agent in 2010 and left New England for Cleveland. The Browns used him more heavily in the passing game and, in his first season he posted 68 receptions for 763 yards. This was an indication of how productive he could be.
The former first-round selection was brought to the New Orleans Saints in 2013. In his first two seasons however, because of the presence of former third-round pick tight end Jimmy Graham, Watson logged only 39 receptions for 362 yards and four touchdowns.
When Graham departed for the Seattle Seahawks in 2015, Watson found himself taking on a bigger role in the Saints’ offense. He recorded career-high numbers in receptions with 74 and in yards with 825, tying his career-high in touchdowns with six.
Heading now into the 2016 season, Watson is an unrestricted free agent. But at the age of 35, should the Saints consider retaining the savvy veteran?
Absolutely.
Keeping Ben Watson should be a first-place priority when it comes to guys they should re-sign. He has certainly shown his versatility during his three seasons in the Big Easy. In fact, this past season he proved that he can be more than just a blocking tight end, providing quarterback Drew Brees with a valuable target.
“I enjoyed playing this season,” Watson said about his free agency during a podcast posted to the team’s website. “I enjoy the city of New Orleans. If it’s New Orleans, I would love to be here. We’re already settled. We’ve got five kids. I don’t feel like moving people everywhere. This is a great place for us and I enjoy playing here.”
“I was asked to do something different,” Watson explained about the numbers he put up this past season. “[I] had different opportunities and I took advantage of it.”
But there is something just as valuable as the receptions and blocking that Watson can contribute to the Saints and it is his knowledge of the game. He can teach the young guys how to play the position at a high level. The leadership he provides and the enthusiasm he brings cannot be measured in monetary terms.
His ‘first-in-last-out’ mentality is an example for the youth in the locker room. The young players on this team can learn how to improve on the field, how to take care of their bodies during the season and most importantly, how to be quality citizens in the community.
Benjamin has been an unbelievable benefit to New Orleans… not just on the field but in the community. His reputation for giving back and his genuine rapport with fans makes them feel a personal connection to him, much like family. Anyone who has ever been to the area knows that this kind of feeling is a calling card for the city that is appreciated by any true New Orleanian.
Watson will be at the NFL Honors Award show Feb. 6 as one of three finalists for the NFL Man of the Year Award. Other finalists are New Orleans native and quarterback for the New York Giants Eli Manning and San Francisco 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin.
The Saints have to do some work to do to get under their salary cap but there one thing for sure… re-signing Benjamin Watson should be a priority.