Tight end Benjamin Watson was the Baltimore Ravens' first free-agent signing this offseason. He signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the Ravens, who wanted an experienced and durable target considering the uncertainty at the time with injured tight ends Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 49 receptions for 524 yards receiving and four TDs
Over or under: History says take the under. Watson has caught more than 50 passes only twice in his career, and he has been held to fewer than 500 yards receiving in eight of his 13 seasons. The other factor that hurts Watson's fantasy value is the Ravens' crowded tight end group. As long as they stay healthy, Pitta, Gillmore and Maxx Williams will cut into Watson's production. Where Watson should helps the Ravens is inside the 20-yard line. Watson scored five red zone touchdowns last season, which were two more than what all of the Baltimore tight ends had combined.
Who else could see time: Pitta, Gillmore and Maxx Williams give the Ravens one of the deepest tight end groups in the NFL. Pitta, who is attempting a comeback this year, was Joe Flacco's favorite target in the red zone and on third downs before fracturing his right hip in back-to-back seasons. Before going on injured reserve in December, Gillmore was one of five tight ends to catch more than 30 passes, average more than 12 yards per catch and score at least four touchdowns. And Williams, the draft's top tight end a year ago, set a Ravens rookie tight end record last season with 32 receptions for 268 yards and one touchdown.
