New Orleans Saints: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end Benjamin Watson #82 of the Baltimore Ravens gets tackled by free safety Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr /Getty Images) /

2. Benjamin Watson, TE (from Baltimore Ravens)

It’s true that many things get better with age. When it comes to the NFL, one example is veteran tight end Benjamin Watson. The 32nd overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft has made the rounds when it comes to the league. And now he returns for his second stint with the New Orleans Saints.

Watson first joined the organization in 2013 and spent three seasons with Sean Payton’s club. And that third year in 2015 proved to be the charm as he set career highs with 74 catches and 825 receiving yards while scoring six touchdowns. In 2016, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens but missed the entire season with a torn Achilles. But this past year, he wound up leading that club with 61 catches (522 yards, four touchdowns).

This past season, the tight end was somewhat invisible in the Saints’ offense for numerous reasons. In 2017, Coby Fleener (22), Josh Hill (16), Michael Hoomanawanui (6) and Garrett Griffin (1) combined for just 45 receptions (476 yards, four touchdowns). All four of those performers are back with the club, along with the ageless Watson.

Thanks to a renewed emphasis on the running game — see Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara — more blocking is required by the New Orleans tight ends and Watson will come in handy here as well. He may or may not put up big receiving numbers as was the case in 2015. But his savvy is a major plus for the defending NFC South champions.

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