After nine years apart, the New England Patriots and a former first-round draft pick of theirs are reunited again: the team will re-sign tight end Benjamin Watson, the 32nd selection of the 2004 draft, to a one-year contract. The move adds an experienced and well-rounded player to a position group that lost both when future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski stepped away from the game in late March.
With all that in mind, let’s reset the Patriots’ tight end depth chart with Watson in the fold.
The well-rounded tight ends
Neither Watson nor LaCosse — both signed as free agents this offseason — will be confused with Gronkowski when it comes to doing the primary responsibilities of the tight end position at a (historically) high level.