No. 12: Ben Watson
Position: Tight end
2018 stats (with New Orleans): 35 receptions, 400 yards, 2 touchdowns
Why he’s No. 12: Watson will likely finish his career where it started, as the 38-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Patriots after retiring for a few months following last season. He was drafted in the first round by the Patriots in the 2004 draft and was in New England until 2009. Even though he's close to 40 years old, he's still an athletic freak and is in great playing shape. It is worth noting he's suspended the first four games because of a substance he took assuming he was retired.
With the Patriots losing Rob Gronkowski due to retirement this offseason and nothing really done in free agency or the draft to replace him, Watson becomes pretty important to Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. It seems very likely the offense won't be centered around the tight end position as much without Gronkowski, but still it's hard to imagine Brady ignoring the position completely. In addition, another veteran brought in -- Austin Seferian-Jenkins -- was released during the spring, so Watson is now being counted on even more than before. The Patriots offense will still be able to survive if Watson doesn't produce, but if he does, it has the potential to be among the best in the NFL.
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