NFL free agency update: Saints sign Ben Watson

The New Orleans Saints welcomed back an old face, signing tight end Benjamin Watson to help bolster an already dangerous offense.

The Saints were within a whisker of getting to the NFC Championship Game last season, and they are making moves to help ensure a trip this time around. General manager Mickey Loomis doesn’t ahve much capital to work with, but he was able to nab tight end Benjamin Watson off the free-agent market.

Watson, 37, remains one of the more productive tight ends in the game. After missing all of 2016 due to injury, the veteran bounced back in a major way with 61 catches for 522 yards. The Virginia native has played for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Saints and Ravens over his career, amassing 5,485 yards and 42 touchdowns over his 13 years in the arena.

His most productive season came back in 2015, when he caught 74 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns, all season-highs. The Saints are likely going to use him as a second tight end in conjuncture with Coby Fleener.

Contract details

Watson signed for one year, although we don’t know how much money the contract is for. The guess is a minimal amount of cash, with Watson likely having some incentives tied into the pact.

National reaction

Grade

Signing Watson is a no-lose move for New Orleans. He is one of the most respected players in the game and can still produce, giving Drew Brees another weapon in an already stacked attack. It’s not a huge move, but it’s a solid one.

Grade: B+