Ben Watson (1 Viewer)

[mcintyre1]

I'll admit, I had no idea Watson was having the kind of season that he is. Sure, it isn't record breaking at all, but he's quietly putting up a top 10 season at TE while sitting on most waiver wires.

Despite playing with 3 different QBs, he hasn't had under 6 targets in a game with highs of 10 and 9, catching a respectable 29 of them for 318 yards and 2 scores.

If he's sitting on your waiver and you're hurting at TE, pick him up already.

 

[towney]

My thoughts too, but considering dropping him for Daniels after week 7. Just have this feeling that Daniels is getting back to 100% and is on a more high power offense. I'd consider grabbing him next week.

 

[NeverEnough]

Just dropped Shiancoe for him. Shiancoe is going down instead of up where I expected him to go.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I'll admit, I had no idea Watson was having the kind of season that he is. Sure, it isn't record breaking at all, but he's quietly putting up a top 10 season at TE while sitting on most waiver wires.Despite playing with 3 different QBs, he hasn't had under 6 targets in a game with highs of 10 and 9, catching a respectable 29 of them for 318 yards and 2 scores. If he's sitting on your waiver and you're hurting at TE, pick him up already.

I think he was overlooked early in the season since he started slow with 3 cathes for 16 yards in the first game but consider what he's done since the first game:- 4 catches for 62 yards against KC- 5 catches for 47 yards and a TD against Baltimore- 6 catches for 60 yards against the Bengals- 4 catches for 45 yards agasinst the Falcons- 6 catches for 88 yards and a TD against the SteelersAdd in the first week and has caught 29 passes for 318 yards with 2 touchdowns this season.Then consider that four tight ends above his production today, Antonio Gates, Dustin Keller, Vernon Davis, and Chris Cooley, are all listed as QUESTIONABLE and that Jermichael Finley was just sent to IR this week and its doubtful that Watson is sitting on the wire. I think that his production was not seen by the teams/owners who had one of the 'stud' tight ends and that guys like Watson tend to be overlooked and under valued but he's having a great season and their are no other legit threats from the Cleveland receiving corps so he should continue to produce.I just don't think he's available on most wires because he's been solid since the second game and others who didn't own a stud probably took a stab on him and its paid off for them.

 

[mcintyre1]

My thoughts too, but considering dropping him for Daniels after week 7. Just have this feeling that Daniels is getting back to 100% and is on a more high power offense. I'd consider grabbing him next week.

Good point, Daniels is a better target, but in most of my leagues he was drafted regardless of the injury. If someone gave up on him, I'd agree that he is the better pickup due to history of production.

 

[mcintyre1]

I'll admit, I had no idea Watson was having the kind of season that he is. Sure, it isn't record breaking at all, but he's quietly putting up a top 10 season at TE while sitting on most waiver wires.Despite playing with 3 different QBs, he hasn't had under 6 targets in a game with highs of 10 and 9, catching a respectable 29 of them for 318 yards and 2 scores. If he's sitting on your waiver and you're hurting at TE, pick him up already.

I think he was overlooked early in the season since he started slow with 3 cathes for 16 yards in the first game but consider what he's done since the first game:- 4 catches for 62 yards against KC- 5 catches for 47 yards and a TD against Baltimore- 6 catches for 60 yards against the Bengals- 4 catches for 45 yards agasinst the Falcons- 6 catches for 88 yards and a TD against the SteelersAdd in the first week and has caught 29 passes for 318 yards with 2 touchdowns this season.Then consider that four tight ends above his production today, Antonio Gates, Dustin Keller, Vernon Davis, and Chris Cooley, are all listed as QUESTIONABLE and that Jermichael Finley was just sent to IR this week and its doubtful that Watson is sitting on the wire. I think that his production was not seen by the teams/owners who had one of the 'stud' tight ends and that guys like Watson tend to be overlooked and under valued but he's having a great season and their are no other legit threats from the Cleveland receiving corps so he should continue to produce.I just don't think he's available on most wires because he's been solid since the second game and others who didn't own a stud probably took a stab on him and its paid off for them.

Fair enough, but as a counter-point, he was on the wire in my main redraft and in at least 1 of my dynasties. Your mileage may vary on whether he's on the wire, as is the case with all players.

 

[solorca]

I picked him up in week 3 after Heath Miller was ineffective without Roethlisberger. I've been quite pleased with him since that point, even though I benched him last week for Miller. He's one of those guys that you're never that confident in (Mike Thomas has been the same with me), but he continues to put up solid numbers. I even dropped him for the Joel Dreesen experiment a few weeks ago, but immediately picked Watson back up when he cleared waivers because I had a change of heart.

 

[packersfan]

He was my last pick and I dropped him for Shockey as my TE2 after Bush got hurt. Prior to this past week the two had put up comparable numbers. But after Shockey's dud and Watson having a strong game against the Steelers I'm debating whether I want to go back to Watson. I agree he's been flying way under the radar. I think it's mainly because people look at the Browns and think they're devoid of fantasy value, other than Hillis.

 

[dapunisher]

Watson seems to like playing the tough defenses - he scored on the Ravens and the Steelers.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Hey Mac,

I don't know the stats of his ownership accross the fantasy landscape but in my league he was long gone.

If people are looking for a deep sleeper they might want to check out TE Evan Moore from the Browns.

His production pales in comparison to Watson but I think he will see more opportunities and that he will start to produce.

With Cribbs and Massaquoi both getting injured and with Moore coming back from his own concussion a few weeks back he might be a legit 'deep' sleeper to keep an eye and and I think he is available in most every league. He got hurt in the second game and didn't make a catch and was held out of the third game but he started out hotter than Watson but with Moore held out Watson was able to produce.

Check out the mirror production of Moore and compare it to the production I listed for Watson above.

- (first game against the Bucs) 3 catches for 87 yards

- (injured) 0 catches 0 yards

- (injured) 0 for 0

- (back but Watson took over as primary target) 1 catch for 24 yards and a TD

- 1 catch for 7 yards

- (in game where both Cribbs and Massaquoi get injured) 4 catches for 84 yards

Evan Moore was a WR in college and the Browns are splitting him wide and having him run deep routes and Colt McCoy is nailing those deep tosses down the sidelines.

I think TE Evan Moore is a legit 'deep' sleeper at TE and should be available in most leagues.

Jes a thought for those in need and if no-one is available on their wire.

 

[Snooze]

Watson seems to like playing the tough defenses - he scored on the Ravens and the Steelers.

I just picked Watson up after finally giving up on Celek.

 

[saintfool]

he's a value pick. totally.

 

[Football Critic]

I love Watson this week, and am wating to make the move depending on the QB there...I feel with Massaqoui and Cribbs banged up, the only recieving option is watson at this point....and you can bet your butt that they will behind against Nawlins

...and even better, if McCoy is at QB, watsons looks go up even more.

Watson this week 6/95/1

I have Hernandez in there now, I seen a stat that he played 63 0f 76 offensive snaps this past game, that is a heavy stat on a passing team...Look for hernandez to start going off as well as another option.

This is the life we live as a former Finley owner, I'm assuming other then bye weeks, Finley owners are the ones in search of a fix at TE.

 

[zamboni]

I think it's mainly because people look at the Browns and think they're devoid of fantasy value, other than Hillis.

I think you're right about that.Watson had some dropsies issues with the Pats, but in that offense his opportunities were largely limited. He's got some athleticism, and with (1) no real receiving options at WR; (2) a good offensive line that does not require him to stay in and block a lot; (3) unproven QBs in Wallace and McCoy that look for a safety value; and (4) a team that plays from behind more often than not, he's definitely in a favorable fantasy situation.

 

[David Yudkin]

The biggest difference for Watson in CLE vs NE is that they actually target him. He is seeing the ball twice as much (or more) then he did with the Pats. He's shown flashes before but never put it altogether, mostly because he would run into streaks where he kept dropping easy catches and Brady lost faith in him.

 

[wudaben]

Watson was available in my 12 team league as was Daniels. I probably would have preferred Daniels but needed to grab someone in case Gates couldn't go and Houston's on a bye this week. I've had my eye on Watson for a couple weeks now, he really looks like their best receiving option!

 

[mcintyre1]

Hey Mac,I don't know the stats of his ownership accross the fantasy landscape but in my league he was long gone.

Just adding some info on this that I had on hand:NFL.com Owned in: 3.3% of leaguesMFLOwned in: 19.9% of leaguesI'm not 100% sure on the MFL stats, as I had to clunk around to try to find it. "Show me the top 'Owned' 'Any Status' 'TE' for all waivers through week '7'"

 

[Dr. Awesome]

My thoughts too, but considering dropping him for Daniels after week 7. Just have this feeling that Daniels is getting back to 100% and is on a more high power offense. I'd consider grabbing him next week.

I'd also rather have Daniels. But Watson should be very good the next few weeks. I'm not confident about his value for the entire season.

 

[saintfool]

The biggest difference for Watson in CLE vs NE is that they actually target him. He is seeing the ball twice as much (or more) then he did with the Pats. He's shown flashes before but never put it altogether, mostly because he would run into streaks where he kept dropping easy catches and Brady lost faith in him.

brady also has better targets. it's pretty easy to ignore watson when you have welker, faulk, and moss on your team. watson had a great camp by all accounts. he came in ready and focused to play for the browns. he's held up his end of the deal for them. now, i don't expect him to repeat these numbers next year because of evan moore but i'll take him for now.

 

[videoguy505]

Hey Mac,I don't know the stats of his ownership accross the fantasy landscape but in my league he was long gone.

Just adding some info on this that I had on hand:NFL.com Owned in: 3.3% of leaguesMFLOwned in: 19.9% of leaguesI'm not 100% sure on the MFL stats, as I had to clunk around to try to find it. "Show me the top 'Owned' 'Any Status' 'TE' for all waivers through week '7'"

36% owned in Sportsline leagues

 

[Chase Stuart]

http://footballguys.com/10stuart_players_benwatson.php

 

[Largie]

not sure how he can keep it up. No WR's, rookie QB, tougher schedule than most. I have Gates and possible injury aside, his bye in week 10 has Watson playing the Jets. Maoeki for me will be fine vs Oakland that week.

 

[Instinctive]

not sure how he can keep it up. No WR's, rookie QB, tougher schedule than most. I have Gates and possible injury aside, his bye in week 10 has Watson playing the Jets. Maoeki for me will be fine vs Oakland that week.

Aren't those reasons he WILL keep it up?No WRs means more targets to the TE.Rookie QB typically leads to more targets for a TE as a safety valve because he can't go through progressions as quickly.

 

[saintfool]

not sure how he can keep it up. No WR's, rookie QB, tougher schedule than most. I have Gates and possible injury aside, his bye in week 10 has Watson playing the Jets. Maoeki for me will be fine vs Oakland that week.

hello, garbage time!they're going to be playing behind in most games. a good TE is a rookie QB's best friend in most cases but especially so when they are behind.

 

[mcintyre1]

http://footballguys.com/10stuart_players_benwatson.php

Great article Chase, thanks for re-linking it.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

How do folk rank him outside the elites?

Witten

Watson

Dainels

Hernandez

Moeaki

Any other guys I'm missing? Obviously players like Gates, Cooley, Keller, Miller (Oakland) are superior options.

 

[Insein]

Just grabbed him in both my leagues. Need a bye week filler for Keller and I'm trying him this week over Miller since Jason Campbell is awful.