Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Watson caught one-of-two targets for 28 yards in the Saints’ Week 15 win over the Panthers. It was yet another uninspiring fantasy day for Watson, who is off the fantasy radar. Ranked as our TE23 for Week 16, avoid Watson on Sunday when the Saints host the Steelers.
Week 15 at Carolina Panthers
Ben Watson caught all three of his targets for 24 yards in the Saints’ Week 14 win over the Bucs. It was an improvement over the zero targets Watson saw the week prior in Dallas, but nevertheless, he is off the fantasy radar. Avoid him Monday night when the Saints visit the Panthers.
Week 12 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Ben Watson was not targeted in the Saints’ Week 11 win over the Eagles. It was the second time in as many games where Watson failed to get on the stat sheet. Ranked as our TE16 for Week 12, we would avoid Watson in Week 12, even in a great matchup with the defensively-challenged Falcons.
Week 11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ben Watson caught one-of-two targets for one yard in the Saints’ Week 10 thrashing of the Bengals. Coming off a three-catch, 62-yard, one-touchdown performance over the Rams, Watson was a major disappointment (not to mention the Saints scored 50-plus points. Ranked as our TE16 for Week 11, we recommend avoiding Watson when the Saints host the Eagles on Sunday.
Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals
Ben Watson caught three-of-four targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the Rams. Watson was excellent in the first half, catching a 17-yard pass on the team’s second drive and then going up over linebacker Cory Littleton for a 32-yard catch along the sidelines in the second quarter. Drew Brees then found Watson on a 13-yard touchdown pass just before halftime. The entire New Orleans offense fell asleep in the third quarter before eventually coming alive again in the fourth but nevertheless, any fantasy owner who took a risk with Watson was rewarded in the first half. Watson’s production has been sporadic this season – too sporadic to trust as a TE1. Ranked as our TE16 for Week 10, we would avoid Watson when the Saints travel to Cincinnati on Sunday. Trey Burton, Jared Cook, Austin Hooper, Eric Ebron and Evan Engram have more appeal if you’re looking for low-end TE1 options that could be on your waiver wire.
Week 9 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Ben Watson wasn’t targeted in the Saints’ Week 8 win over the Vikings. He was shutout one week after recording a season-high six passes and his first touchdown, in a win over the Ravens. If you’re desperate at tight end, Watson isn’t a bad play in Week 9 despite failing to get on the stat sheet a week ago. That’s because the Rams-Saints matchup is expected to be a high-scoring affair and L.A. rank 16th against fantasy tight ends this season. Ranked as our TE13 for Week 9, Watson is worth a flier if you need to stream the position.
Week 8 at Minnesota Vikings
Ben Watson caught six-of-six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ Week 7 win over the Ravens. The touchdown was his first of the season and both the receptions and targets were season highs. Ranked as our TE16 for Week 8, Watson will be a TE2 when the Saints travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings.
Week 7 at Baltimore Ravens
Ben Watson caught all four of his targets for 30 yards in the Saints’ Week 5 win over the Redskins. After catching 12 passes in the first three weeks combined, Watson has just five receptions for 53 yards over his last two weeks. Ranked as our TE19 for Week 7, view Watson as a TE2 when the Saints travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
Week 5 vs. Washington Redskins
Ben Watson caught one-of-three targets for 23 yards in the Saints’ Week 4 win over the Giants. It was the Alvin Kamara show in East Rutherford, as everyone else in the Saints offense took a back seat (including Drew Brees and Michael Thomas). Watson doesn’t have the best matchup on Monday night when the Saints host the Redskins. Ranked as our TE14, view Watson as a low-end TE2.
Week 4 at New York Giants
Ben Watson caught 5-of-6 targets for 71 yards in the Saints’ Week 3 win over the Falcons. At 37, he continues to win plenty of contested passes with overmatched defenders. The problem is that there are too many mouths to feed in New Orleans, which relegates him to TE2 status. Ranked as our No. 13 TE for Week 4, Watson is a streaming option only in deeper leagues.
