Week 6 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Tight End: Ben Watson

Ben Watson, TE, New Orleans Saints
10 Receptions, 127 Yards, 12 Targets, 1 Touchdown
NEP: +12.74

Finally, a new face on this list. Last Thursday, Drew Brees looked Watson's way all night, and the pair hooked up for 10 receptions and 127 yards with a touchdown.

Watson was able to elude coverage with ease picking up 12 targets on the night. His 10 receptions and 12 targets were both season-highs for Saints receivers on the year.

Watson also turned in quite the fantasy performance, particularly in PPR formats, where he led all tight ends this week with 28.7 points this week. It'll be difficult to rely on Watson from a week-to-week perspective with how Brees spreads the targets around, but he'll be hard to ignore if keeps seeing this volume. Watson now ranks 10th in Reception NEP and 7th in Target NEP on the year following this breakout game.

Watson's +12.74 NEP led all tight ends for the week, and he narrowly edged out Carolina's Greg Olsen who had a big game on the road to help Carolina get the win. Olsen's +12.54 score just missed first place after he caught 7 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Delanie Walker and Jimmy Graham were right behind him as both picked up eight receptions on the day. Gary Barnidge continues to impress, as he caught two touchdowns this weekend and leads all tight ends in both Reception NEP and Target NEP on the year.