As expected, the Baltimore Ravens did not kick off free agency with any sort of franchise-changing move. They stuck to their method of spending low in free agency with their first move, which was the signing of veteran tight end Ben Watson.
For a modest price of two years, $8 million, Watson is clearly just a hole-filling veteran addition, which is all the Ravens need at tight end. With Nick Boyle suspended, the pre-Watson tight end outlook included Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore, two young players with unfulfilled potential as well as some injury concerns.
Bringing in Watson to fulfill the veteran presence role that Dennis Pitta was never healthy enough to assume should give the Ravens stability and leadership at tight end. And make no mistake about it: Watson may be 35, but he can still be effective in the NFL.
In 2015, Watson posted a career-high 74 catches and 825 yards in a pass-happy New Orleans offense. Will he replicate that in Baltimore? Probably not. Does he need to? Absolutely not.
With two capable tight ends already on the roster in Gillmore and Williams, Watson simply needs to contribute marginally, and quite frankly a stat line in the 40 reception, 500-yard and multiple touchdown range would be considered a win for the Ravens.
Based on his play last season, Watson is quite capable of achieving that feat during his first season in purple and black.
Let’s take a look at his final year in New Orleans to see what Watson still has to offer.
What the Ravens desperately lacked out of the tight end position in 2015 was a potent receiving threat, which is what Watson was last season.
He was routinely lined up in the slot or out wide, and could take on defenders one-on-one.
Here he works the coverage man downfield before breaking toward the sideline. As Watson cuts in and out of his break, it is clear how much open space he picks up.
Despite his age, Watson still has loads of athleticism, and he shows it with his full extension in between defenders to haul in the throw.
Short-to-intermediate routes were Watson’s staple in New Orleans, and likely will be in Baltimore as well.
Here, he again works one-on-one toward the outside with the defender.
Watson again creates space during his break, opening up a window for his quarterback on the outside.
The throw is off target, but Watson is again athletic enough to come down with the reception.
In 2016, Watson figures to be the closest thing to the “safety blanket” that Pitta was for quarterback Joe Flacco. He is an established, dependable, proven veteran with some gas left in the tank, and should be an integral part of the passing game.
Bringing Watson in during the early stage of Williams’ and Gillmore’s respective careers takes the burden off the young players, but also gives them a leader to help bring them along.
