Week 17 at Atlanta
Ben Watson disappointed in Week 16, catching just 1-of-2 targets for five yards in the Saints' victory over the Jaguars. He was limited by a knee injury and wound up playing just 42-of-80 snaps. The good news is that he wasn't on the team's injury report this week so he should have a bounce-back game versus the Falcons (a team he torched with a 10-127-1 stat line in Week 6). Watson ranks as our TE11 for Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Jacksonville
Ben Watson caught 6-of-12 targets for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 15 loss to the Lions. With the Lions jumping out to a 28-3 lead shortly after halftime, New Orleans had to throw the ball to get back into the game. Out of the 12 looks he received on the night, a whopping 11 of those targets to Watson came in the second half. Ranked as our TE8 for Week 16, Watson will be a low-end TE1 for this weekend. He has a plus matchup versus a Jacksonville defense that ranks 27th against fantasy tight ends this season.
Week 15 vs. Detroit
Ben Watson caught 7-of-11 targets for 70 yards in the Saints Week 14 win over the Bucs. He did most of his damage in the first half when New Orleans raced out to a double-digit lead. he caught six passes for 65 yards before halftime, then the Saints decided to run clock in the second half as the passing game turned into an afterthought. Watson has a great matchup on Sunday against the Lions, who own the No. 28-ranked fantasy defense versus tight ends this season. Ranked as our TE9 for Week 15, view Watson as a low-end TE1 for Sunday.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay
Ben Watson caught 4-of-8 targets for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 13 loss to the Panthers. He's now on pace to catch 72 passes for 856 yards and a respectable five touchdown passes this season. With Brandin Cooks (concussion) likely out for Sunday's game in Tampa, Watson is a low-end TE1 option for fantasy owners in both PPR and standard leagues. Watson ranks as our TE9 for Week 14.
Week 13 vs. Carolina
Ben Watson caught 4-of-9 targets for 53 yards in the Saints' Week 12 loss to the Texans. The targets were his third most of the season. Ranked as our TE11 for Week 13, Watson is a decent low-end TE1 option for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers, who own the No. 11 fantasy defense versus tight ends this season. He hasn't seen fewer than five targets in a game since Week 4 so at least owners know what they're getting in Watson.
Week 12 at Houston
Ben Watson caught 3-of-4 targets for just 19 yards in the Saints Week 10 loss to the Redskins. In his past two games, Watson has seen just nine targets and wasn't targeted inside the red-zone at Washington two weeks ago. Ranked as our TE13 for Week 12, Watson has a tough matchup versus a Houston team ranked as fantasy's No. 3 defense against tight ends.
Week 10 at Washington
Ben Watson caught all five his targets but was held to 60 yards and no touchdowns in the Saints Week 9 loss to the Titans. A week after catching nine passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, Watson was third behind Willie Snead (10) and Brandin Cooks (6) for targets. Nevertheless, he still has a significant role in Sean Payton's offense and can continue to be viewed as a low-end TE1 in all fantasy formats. Ranked as our TE11 for Week 10, Watson will face a Washington defense that ranks No. 11 against fantasy tight ends this season.
Week 9 vs. Tennessee
Ben Watson caught 9-of-10 targets for 147 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 8 win over the Giants. Watson's 10 targets led the Saints on a day when Drew Brees threw for 511 yards and a NFL record-tying seven touchdowns. Watson has emerged as a legit TE1 and is now on pace to catch 76 passes for 944 yards and six touchdowns. Ranked as our TE9 for Week 9, Watson is worth a start in all formats.
Week 8 vs. New York Giants
Ben Watson caught 4-of-5 targets for 59 yards in the Saints Week 7 win over the Colts. He was tackled twice at the Indianapolis 1-yard line or else it would have been a much bigger day for the veteran tight end. Watson is earning a bigger role in the Saints offense each and every week, and is a safe streaming option for Week 8. He ranks as our TE13 for Sunday's matchup against the Giants, who own the No. 29 fantasy defense versus tight ends this season.
Week 7 at Indianapolis
Ben Watson went off for 10 catches and 127 yards with one touchdown in the Saints Week 6 win over the Falcons. It was a career night for Watson, who consistently ran free in Atlanta's secondary. Despite the output, the 34-year-old failed to crack the 50-yard mark in each of his previous five games. Watson is worth a flier for desperate owners in deeper leagues, but is far from a reliable option. He ranks as our TE12 for Week 8.
