New England Patriots 2019: Ranking team’s top 5 offensive playmakers

5. Ben Watson

If the New England Patriots end up depending on 38-year-old tight end Ben Watson as one of Tom Brady’s top targets in the offense, then it may be a long season for the defending Super Bowl champs on the offensive side of the ball.

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While there are a lot of question marks at the tight end position following the retirement of one Rob Gronkowski, Watson does present some reliability and familiarity with Tom Brady.

With 35 receptions and 400 receiving yards in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints, Watson’s production wasn’t that far off from what Gronkowski did with the team in his final season.  When he does return from a four-game suspension to start the 2019 NFL season, expect Ben Watson to become red zone target for Brady.  He can also still do a little damage down the seams.

So, depending on whether another tight end currently on the team steps up as a playmaker, Watson currently stands as one of the top playmakers due to experience and what he can still do on the football field.

The New England Patriots would certainly be a better team if Ben Watson turns out to be more of a depth piece than a top playmaker.