Very fast for a tight end and shows soft hands as a receiver. Gets good separation, catches the ball in stride, and can be very productive when he gets on a roll. Works hard and is a very solid blocker.
Flaws:
A bit inconsistent overall and doesn't always play to his significant talent level. Doesn't have great size for a tight end. Somewhat injury-prone.
Career Potential:
Quality tight end with stellar tools.
Career Honors & Awards
League
Honor
Description
NFL
Super Bowl
2004 (XXXlX - New England - injured reserve)
Movements & Injuries
2013
3/18/2013
Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the New Orleans Saints to a three-year contract.
2011
12/16/2011
Concussion, injured reserve.
12/16/2011
Head injury, out.
2010
3/12/2010
Signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns to a three-year contract.
2004
9/29/2004
Knee injury, injured reserve.
8/16/2004
Signed by the New England Patriots to a six-year contract.
Career Transactions
2013
3/18/2013
Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the New Orleans Saints.
2010
3/12/2010
Signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns.
2004
4/24/2004
Drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round (32nd overall) in 2004.
Player News
Saints replace David Thomas with Ben Watson | 03/18/2013 2:03 PM
News
Saints signed TE Ben Watson to a three-year contract.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
A do-it-all tight end still going relatively strong at age 32, Watson will replace David Thomas as the Saints' top backup behind Jimmy Graham. In 16 games with the Browns last season, Watson hauled in 49 passes for 501 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers are likely to dip with a reduced role in New Orleans, but this is a smart depth signing by Saints GM Mickey Loomis & Co.
Watson hasn't heard from the Browns | 03/08/2013 11:03 PM
News
Free agent TE Ben Watson "hasn't heard anything" from the Browns about his 2013 whereabouts.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Impact
The Browns will let him walk. Watson, 32, should draw minimum-salary offers on the open market. He caught 49 balls for 501 yards and three TDs last year.
TEs Watson, Smith not likely to be re-signed | 02/10/2013 10:35 AM
News
The Cleveland Plain Dealer says impending free agent TEs Ben Watson and Alex Smith are unlikely to be re-signed by the Browns.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Impact
Watson recently turned 32, and he could be an option to return to New England as a backup and locker room presence. Smith, 31 in May, hasn't been the same player since leaving Tampa Bay in 2009, but he has the ability to play both tight end and fullback. Cleveland is expected to give third-year TE Jordan Cameron every opportunity, but he Plain Dealer wouldn't rule out the Browns targeting Martellus Bennett or Dustin Keller in free agency.
Ben Watson likely done in Cleveland | 02/06/2013 10:54 AM
News
ESPN Cleveland does not expect free agent TE Ben Watson to re-sign with the Browns.
