NFL
Patriots sign top pick Watson
By The Source
Aug 17, 2004

Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - The New England Patriots Monday announced the signing of first-round draft pick Benjamin Watson. As per team policy, terms of the tight end's deal were not released.

Watson, who was selected with the 32nd pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, ended a lengthy holdout and is expected to begin practicing with his new teammates. The former Georgia star fired his agent last week after missing more than two weeks of training camp.

The 23-year-old Rockhill, South Carolina native took part in New England's June minicamp while unsigned. He also has been studying the playbook and attending team meetings.

Watson played in 37 games (26 starts) during three seasons at Georgia, where he compiled 852 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Watson, a red-shirt transfer from Duke, appeared in 11 games and caught eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Devils in 1999.

In his final game as a Bulldog, Watson hauled in four passes for 86 yards and had a 16-yard touchdown reception in the SEC championship game versus LSU. For his collegiate career, he had 945 yards and seven TDs on 73 receptions.

New England also drafted defensive tackle Vince Wilfork out of Miami-Florida with the 21st pick. The Patriots acquired the pick from the Baltimore Ravens.