According to multiple reports, the Ravens are expected to sign former New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson. He will join the group of Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, and the suspended Nick Boyle. The RSR staff react to the news.
The #Ravens will sign TE Ben Watson tomorrow when the league year opens, and I'm told it's for 2 years, $8M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2016
Brian McFarland
Will need to see the contract details, but seems like a solid move to add a veteran presence at the TE spot. Would also seem to indicate that there are some questions about Crockett Gillmore’s availability for the start of the season.
Very unlike the Ravens to sign a UFA and so quickly. For now, Ravens lose the 3rd Round Comp pick for Osemele signing in Oakland, so they will need to have Courtney Upshaw sign elsewhere (Colts are rumored) to get that pick back. Once that happens, Watson and Upshaw will cancel, and the Ravens will regain the 3rd round Comp pick.
Tyler Lombardi
This signing is the second in two days for Baltimore sports teams that has me scratching my head (looking at you Pedro Alvarez). The tight end position has a couple of the most productive young members of the team. The Ravens seem like they’re in the middle of a youth movement. Neither of those jives with their decision to bring in Watson.
I understand that the Nick Boyle suspension likely contributed to their decision. What about when he comes back? Sure, there is always a good chance of injury, especially in ten games. But the Ravens have an excess amount of Cap dollars committed to an injured tight end who may never come back. I’d rather not add more age to that group.
I like Watson. I do. I’m just not sure that he will be able to keep up his production for another season. He’s not worth a roster spot at a position of relative strength. Gillmore’s status could be more uncertain than we think.
Joe Polek
I like this move. Watson is a STELLAR locker room guy, and a veteran presence that is needed. Will he be a Pro Bowler? No, but that’s not needed with the other TEs on the squad. This spells the end to Dennis Pitta in Baltimore.
Kyle Rate
This is a little bit of a surprise to me. But Nick Boyle’s suspension opened the door for room at the TE position. The former tight end himself, Ozzie really seems to value the position, and he also knows that Flacco plays at his best when he has a dynamic threat at that spot. With Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams seemingly coming into their own, it’s surprising that Baltimore would spend money at the position, but Watson’s veteran presence theoretically does seem to mesh well with the considerable TE youth.
Watson was extremely productive last year, and if he can stay healthy he could really produce within this offense. This also probably signals the end for Dennis Pitta in Baltimore, if that nail wasn’t already hammered into that particular coffin.
Kyle Casey
Rounds out the tight end position and gives Baltimore a veteran presence. Unlikely he can replicate the success he had in New Orleans, but should give the Ravens a solid year or two.
Ryan Jones
Watson is a great locker room guy and revived his career last year in New Orleans. Tight ends seem to thrive in New Orleans so it’s hard to say if Watson’s production was a product of a system, or if he can sustain something close to it in Baltimore at age 35. With that said tight ends seem to thrive in Baltimore as well so this could be a solid one year deal.
Brian Bower
Great veteran presence in the locker room who can certainly help at the position.
A virtual “right player, right price” signing.
Mike Fast
Good move by Baltimore. A veteran tight end is a big part of this offense and Crockett Gillmore, though talented, isn’t there yet.
Watson becomes the third veteran tight end to sign with Baltimore in recent years, after Dallas Clark and Owen Daniels. Hopefully, his performance follows the upward trend set by his predecessors.
Nadeem Kureishy
My initial thought is why sign a 35 year old tight end? I think he is being signed as a back-up / role player / mentor. He is what Chris Canty was for the DL.
