Week 6 vs. Atlanta
Ben Watson caught 3-of-5 targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 5 loss to the Eagles. The score was Watson's first of the year as he continues to play over Josh Hill in Sean Payton's offense. Watson ranks as our TE26 and is not an option for Week 6.
Week 5 at Philadelphia
Ben Watson had three catches on three targets for 30 yards in the Saints Week 4 win over the Cowboys. He has no fantasy value whatsoever. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 4 vs. Dallas
Ben Watson caught all four of his targets for 42 yards in the Saints Week 3 loss to the Panthers. He continues to see significant snaps (86 percent in Week 3), but isn't a viable fantasy option. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay
Ben Watson caught three-of-five targets for 19 yards in the Saints Week 1 loss to the Cardinals. He played ahead of Josh Hill (zero targets), as expected, but wasn't featured in New Orleans' new-look passing game. Watson isn't a reliable fantasy option and should be avoided in all formats. He ranks as our TE25 for Week 2.
Fantasy Upside
Ben Watson was listed as the Saints No. 1 tight end on their first depth chart of the preseason and reports out of New Orleans suggest that his role in the passing game could expand now that Jimmy Graham is in Seattle. Watson is a better blocker than Josh Hill, which means he could see snaps as the Saints transition to more of a balanced offense under Sean Payton. If Hill were to suffer an injury, Watson could see his targets grow and become a viable steaming option for fantasy owners.
Fantasy Downside
Watson caught a total of 39 passes over the past two seasons and will be 35 years old in December. Even with Graham in Seattle, it’s unlikely Watson’s opportunities will expand much in the passing game -- especially with Hill in the mix. Watson simply doesn’t offer much upside for fantasy owners.
Bottom Line
Even if Hill were to get hurt and Watson saw more looks in the passing game, the main beneficiary of Graham being in Seattle is young, dynamic receiver Brandin Cooks. Watson’s main responsibilities will be as a blocker in the run game and he doesn’t offer much fantasy value. Ranked as TE31, Watson is going undrafted in 10 and 12-team leagues.
Week 16: Watson vs. Falcons
Ben Watson caught his lone target for five yards in the Saints’ Week 15 win over the Bears. He has zero fantasy value.
Week 15: Watson vs. Bears
Ben Watson caught two-of-four targets for eight yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ Week 14 loss to the Panthers. It was a brutal day for New Orleans’ offense as Watson caught the lone touchdown pass in a miserable loss. But with Jimmy Graham and Josh Hill ahead of him on the depth chart, Watson continues to hold no fantasy value. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 12: Watson vs. Ravens
Ben Watson failed to record a target in the Saints’ Week 11 loss to the Bengals and has now caught just three passes for 20 yards combined in his last five games. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 11: Watson vs. Bengals
Ben Watson caught one pass on three targets for 13 yards in the Saints’ Week 10 loss to the 49ers. Watson doesn’t play a significant role in Sean Payton’s offense and thus has zero fantasy value. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 10: Watson vs. 49ers
Ben Watson caught 1-of-1 targets for four yards in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the Panthers. Outside of his five-catch performance in Week 5 against Tampa Bay (a game in which Jimmy Graham was held to 18-of-91 offensive snaps due to a shoulder injury), Watson has been held to one catch in six games this season. He holds no fantasy value.
