An underachiever since being tabbed with a first-round pick back in 2004, Patriots TE Benjamin Watson is stringing together his finest season as a professional. Through five games, he has recorded 14 receptions for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Extrapolated throughout a full 16-game schedule, the receptions and yards would rank as the second-best season totals in his career, whereas the touchdowns would be a personal career high. Widely believed to be playing his final season in New England with his contract set to expire after the season, Watson is giving Pats brass pause as to whether he's as expendable as initially believed. The problem, however, is that other Patriots in the final year of their deals include more deserving performers, such as NT Vince Wilfork and OG Logan Mankins, and the Pats may find it very difficult to afford everybody. The ongoing CBA negotiations could play a role in the matter.

PFW has launched its brand-new NFL Draft Newsletter series, with the first issue now ready for mailing. Produced by PFW's player personnel department under the direction of Nolan Nawrocki, the series consists of four information-packed issues. For more info or to subscribe — click here for PDF e-pub or here for print format.