Report: Ravens to sign Watson to 2-year, $8M deal

The Baltimore Ravens have reached an agreement in principle to sign veteran tight end Benjamin Watson, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports, citing a source.

A deal can't be signed until free agency opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but Watson is receiving a two-year contract worth $8 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Watson enjoyed the most productive season of his 12-year career in 2015, starting all 16 games for the New Orleans Saints and hauling in 74 receptions for 825 yards and six touchdowns.

The 35-year-old fills a short-term need for the Ravens, as there appears to be uncertainty surrounding both the health of Crockett Gillmore's surgically repaired shoulders and the development of 2015 first-round pick Maxx Williams.

Though his stat line almost certainly won't match what he put forth as part of an explosive passing attack in New Orleans, he'll be a much-needed veteran target for Joe Flacco over the middle of the field.