News: Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta told the Baltimore Sun he expects tight end Eric Dickson to step up in 2013. "Ed Dickson made some big plays last year in the Super Bowl, really played his best football in the playoffs," DeCosta said. "We're excited to see him become what we thought he was going to be. We really think this is his chance to become a really good tight end in the NFL."
Analysis: With the Ravens lacking receiving weapons there's a shot Dickson could land more playing time in 2013, perhaps as a traditional tight end while Dennis Pitta splits out wide. ProFootballFocus.com says Dickson played on 57.1 percent of the Ravens snaps last year including the postseason, including eight games with at least 60 percent of the snaps but just two with more than 70 percent. For that he had just 41 targets, good for 27 catches and 315 yards over 13 regular-season games and four playoff games. He didn't score once. The only owners who should consider Dickson late are those in the deepest of leagues that specifically reward tight ends for receptions.
News: With Ed Dickson not signing any offer sheets, the player will more than likely sign the tender given to him by the Ravens and play 2013 on the one-year deal worth $1.323 million. He'll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2014.
Analysis: Dickson could see a little more involvement in 2013 as the Ravens are thin at receiver and could roll out two tight end sets more often. That doesn't necessarily make Dickson a Fantasy star by any means. He'll have to play big first before making Fantasy rosters.
News: Ravens tight end Ed Dickson shared some targets with fellow tight end Dennis Pitta during Saturday's AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Broncos. Still, Dickson was targeted just four times and finished with three catches for 29 yards in a 38-35 double overtime victory. Pitta caught three passes for 55 yards in the win as well.
Analysis: Dickson was a major disappointment in his third NFL season, as Dennis Pitta completely surpassed him on the depth chart. He'll play the winner of Sunday's Houston-New England game next week in the AFC Championship game. Pitta struggled against both teams as he caught two passes for five yards against New England in Week 3 and was held to just one grab for a 5-yard gain against Houston in Week 7. Still, he is not expected to be a big contributor in the passing game and has marginal value in all Playoff Challenge formats heading into the AFC Championship game.
News: Ravens tight end Ed Dickson played a big role in the offense in Week 17 against the Bengals, after the first-team offense left the field. Dickson led the team with six catches for 64 yards in the game, both of which were also season highs for him. He was targeted eight times and had a long reception of 15 yards, in a 23-17 loss.
Analysis: Dickson was a major disappointment in his third NFL season, as Dennis Pitta completely surpassed him on the depth chart. Dickson made an impact Sunday only after Pitta left the game. He has just 21 receptions for 225 yards on the season, and can be ignored in most Fantasy playoff challenge leagues.
News: Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson is inactive for the Week 15 game against Denver due to his lingering knee injury. Dickson has now missed the last three games for the Ravens. He was listed as doubtful on the team's injury report entering Sunday's game.
Analysis: Dickson has not been able to practice much with the team since suffering the injury. He was able to get back to limited practice this week, but still had to miss the Week 15 contest. He's close to a return, but should be on benches or waivers in all Fantasy leagues for the Week 15 game against the Broncos.
News: Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson was listed as doubtful on the team's injury report for Week 15 against Denver with a lingering knee injury that has forced him to miss the past two games. Dickson, who suffered the injury during Week 12 against San Diego, was a limited participant in practice over the past week. The Broncos ranks seventh against the pass this season and are allowing just 215.7 yards through the air.
Analysis: Dickson has not been able to practice much with the team since suffering the injury so his appearance -- even on a limited basis -- over the past week is encouraging. However, even if he is available, he is a risky Fantasy option as he has gone the entire season without a touchdown catch. He has also surpassed 30 yards only once. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore Dickson at this point in the season for Week 15.
News: Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson left in the second quarter of Week 12 at San Diego with an apparent knee injury, the team announced. Dickson limped off the field after being shaken up on a tackle and was taken to the locker room for further examination. He did not record a target from quarterback Joe Flacco before departing. His return is listed as doubtful. After the game, coach John Harbaugh said Dickson suffered a knee sprain.
Analysis: Dickson can't seem to avoid the injury bug as he entered Sunday's game probable on the injury report with a neck issue. Despite his health status, the 25-year-old has been phased out of the offensive plans as the Ravens have preferred Dennis Pitta at tight end. Fantasy owners should monitor Dickson's status, but he is not viewed as a major contributor at this point in the season.
News: Raiders tight end Ed Dickson took over for an injured Dennis Pitta during Sunday's contest against the Steelers in Week 11. Dickson did not make much of an impact as he was barely involved in the passing game. He finished with two catches for 8 yards in a 13-10 victory.
Analysis: Dickson failed to build off his decent game last week but could still have a chance for redemption. With Pitta now dealing with a concussion, Dickson could draw the start against the Chargers in Week 12. We'll continue to keep an eye on Pitta's status moving forward. If Pitta can't play, then Dickson should be viewed as a low-end reserve option in deeper formats heading into Week 12.
News: Raiders tight end Ed Dickson put up his highest yardage total of the season, catching two passes for 59 yards in the team's 55-20 blowout of the Raiders. Dickson was targeted two times.
Analysis: Most of the yardage came from a 40-yard bomb in the first quarter. While Dickson has big-play ability, he is the second tight end on a team that manages to be very inconsistent with the first tight end option. In other words, leave him for the waiver wire in nearly every format.
News: Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson notched two catches for 11 yards during the Ravens' 25-15 victory over Cleveland in Week 9. Dickson, who averaged a mere 5.5 yards per reception, has been held to less than three catches in all eight games this season. He was targeted three times by quarterback Joe Flacco as he finished with the same number of receptions as fellow tight end Dennis Pitta, though he amassed 33 yards.
Analysis: The Ravens often use two tight ends in their offensive scheme, but Dickson is clearly second-fiddle to Pitta. In the past three games, Pitta has totaled more catches (11) than Dickson has managed the entire season (eight). Still, Baltimore relies heavily on the running game fueled by Ray Rice, which limits the scoring chances for both tight ends. Fantasy owners should leave Dickson on waivers at this point.
News: Ravens tight end Ed Dickson caught a short pass for a 5-yard gain during the game's opening drive against the Texans in Week 7. Unfortunately, it proved to be his only catch of the day despite collecting five targets in a 43-13 defeat.
Analysis: Dickson appeared as if he was on the verge of a breakout season heading into 2012 and instead has been relegated to backup duties behind Dennis Pitta. He hasn't racked up as many catches as his 54-catch season in 2011 and has just eight catches for 74 yards through his first seven games. He should be left on waiver moving forward.
News: In the Ravens' Week 6 win vs. the Cowboys, tight end Ed Dickson caught one pass for 8 yards. He also dropped a pass in the end zone.
Analysis: Dickson doesn't put up enough stats to warrant Fantasy use. Leave him off rosters.
News: After being limited to just five catches through the first three games of the season, Ravens tight end Ed Dickson was shut out of the offense completely Thursday against the Browns. Dickson was not targeted once in the passing game, and he has clearly been passed by Dennis Pitta as the team’s top tight end option.
Analysis: This is a very surprisingly development, as Dickson posted 54 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns last season and seemed on the verge of a breakout. Instead, he has been relegated to backup duty, and should be headed to the waiver wires in all remaining Fantasy leagues.
News: Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson was targeted four times on Sunday Week 2 at Philadelphia. Dickson only managed to come down with one grab, however, for 23 yards. Meanwhile, Dennis Pitta led the Ravens with eight catches for 65 yards on 15 targets from quarterback Joe Flacco.
Analysis: Some thought Dickson might be the top TE for Baltimore heading into the season. Instead, it has easily been Pitta. Dickson has only been targeted seven times in two games with three grabs for 45 yards. Heading into Week 3 at home against New England, Dickson is not a recommended Fantasy start.
News: Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson watched teammate and position partner Dennis Pitta steal the show with a touchdown catch against the Bengals Week 1. Dickson, expected to be the showcased offensive tight end for the Ravens, was held to just two catches for 22 yards on three targets from quarterback Joe Flacco. Dickson heads into Week 2 at Philadelphia looking for more. Dickson has never played against the Eagles in his career.
Analysis: Dickson has really not been that effective for the Ravens for some time. The last time Dickson recorded more than two catches in a game was back on Dec. 18 of last year at San Diego when he had three for 36 yards. Dickson is not a tight end to target in Fantasy play right now. It looks like he's not even the best TE option on his own team.
News: Ravens tight end Ed Dickson did not have much of an impact in Week 1 against the Bengals. He caught two passes for 22 yards in the 44-13 win. Dickson was targeted three times by quarterback Joe Flacco in the contest.
Analysis: Dickson was not as impressive as fellow tight end Dennis Pitta on Monday night, which could be a sign of things to come. While it was just one game, owners should keep an eye on the situation going forward to see who will be more valuable in the passing game. Dickson is not a consistent contributor in Fantasy but retains low-end appeal at a thin position heading into Week 2 against the Eagles.
News: Ravens tight end Ed Dickson will be looking to get off to a fast start during Week 1 against the Bengals. Dickson's numbers haven't been all that impressive against the division foe as he has hauled in just four receptions for 58 yards in four games against Cincinnati. The Bengals ranked were ranked ninth in pass defense last season, allowing 212 passing yards per game. Cincinnati surrendered 21 total touchdowns through the air and allowed an average of 5.9 Fantasy points to opposing TEs in 2011.
Analysis: Dickson seems to be healthy heading into Week 1 after dealing with a shoulder injury for most of the offseason and training camp. The 25-year-old posted 54 grabs for 528 yards and five scores in 2011 and is hoping to see a larger role on offense this year. However, he will still wind up losing snaps to Dennis Pitta, which will continue to limit his value a bit. With a tough matchup on tap for Week 1, owners should consider Dickson merely a low-end option in deeper leagues against the Bengals.
News: The Baltimore Sun reports that both Ravens tight ends Ed Dickson (shoulder) and Dennis Pitta (hand) are making progress from their injuries and have a chance to play Week 1 vs. Cincinnati. Both have been practicing for a week already. "[W]e'll know a lot more on Monday, Wednesday and even especially Thursday when we pad it up a little bit," coach John Harbaugh said. "But they seem to be ahead of schedule, both those guys."
Analysis: We suspect both will be ready when the Ravens open the season vs. the Bengals. Cincinnati's secondary is pretty deep but the Ravens have enough weapons to challenge them and both tight ends should be involved to some degree. But unless you're desperate, neither Dickson nor Pitta is worth starting in Fantasy especially since they'll take away stats from each other on a weekly basis.
News: Baltimore tight ends Ed Dickson (shoulder) and Dennis Pitta (broken hand) each returned to practice over the weekend after sitting out the previous three weeks, reports the team's official site. That said, Dickson and Pitta both did not play, as expected, in the preseason finale against the Rams in St. Louis. “No chance,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday about their shot at playing. “No chance of that. They’re not ready for that yet.”
Analysis: Dickson sprained his shoulder in the preseason opener against Atlanta and has only recently gotten back on the practice field. "We'll go day-by-day, and we'll see how I feel,” Dickson said. He also added that he feels good about being able to play against the Bengals Week 1. Dickson has been among the last tight ends drafted in most Fantasy drafts as the Ravens don't usually utilize the position offensively. Dickson hauled in 54 receptions for 528 yard and five touchdowns last season and is expected to be Baltimore's No. 1 TE once again. That said, healthy or not, he shouldn't be active Week 1 in most formats.
News: Raven tight end Ed Dickson did not dress for Friday's preseason game against the Lions as he continues to nurse a shoulder injury. Dickson sprained his left shoulder during Baltimore's preseason opener against the Falcons and was unable to practice this past week.
Analysis: Dickson was expected to be sidelined for a few weeks, so the fact that he was held out Friday night shouldn't come as much of a surprise. While he is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status over the next few weeks just to make sure. Dickson hauled in 54 receptions for 528 yard and five touchdowns last season and is expected to be Baltimore's No. 1 TE once again this season. Still, with so many established quality tight ends out there, only owners in deeper formats should consider scooping him up in the later rounds.
News: Ravens tight end Ed Dickson was forced to leave Thursday’s preseason opener against the Falcons during the first half, after appearing to injure his right shoulder. He finished the game with two catches for 15 years and a touchdown, and was ultimately diagnosed with a subluxed shoulder. He will undergo an MRI Friday, with the Baltimore Sun reporting after the game that he could be out for at least a few weeks.
Analysis: Dickson is coming off something of a breakout season as the Ravens’ No. 1 tight end, posting 54 catches for 528 yards, and was expected to take another step forward this season, so hopefully this injury does not prove to be a serious one. At this point, the MRI will certainly reveal more details about his status, so Fantasy owners will need to monitor him moving forward. He is more of a No. 2 Fantasy tight end when healthy, so plan on targeting him in the later rounds only in deeper Fantasy leagues on Draft Day, assuming he begins the season on time.
News: Tight end Ed Dickson's focus this offseason has been to cut down on his drops. In an interview on the Ravens' official website, he says his focus has been on fine-tuning his game and be considered more reliable. "I'm a critic of myself, so I'm thinking about the drops that I could have had and how I can eliminate those," Dickson said. "I'm thinking about what I can do better, I'm not thinking about the good things."
Analysis: Dickson might play a good amount for the Ravens this season but his Fantasy prospects remain minimal. Remember, because there are so many established quality tight ends out there, along with some good sleepers, Dickson is lost in the shuffle. Keep him off your roster outside of the deepest leagues on Draft Day, but consider him off waivers during the season as a potential one-week replacement.
News: The Ravens official team website reports that Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta more than filled the shoes of departed longtime TE Todd Heap. In their first season splitting the workload, they combined to catch 94 passes for 933 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are better numbers than any of Heap’s 10 seasons in Baltimore in all three categories. Now Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron only sees more production ahead out of his two young tight ends. “Those two are right on track in their development and we expect big years out of both of them next year,” Cameron said.
Analysis: Dickson finished the season with 54 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns. He projects as a No. 2 Fantasy TE in 2012, and he is only worth drafting with a late-round pick in deeper leagues. His value would be higher if he didn't split time with Pitta, but Dickson could be considered a bye-week replacement next year if he starts out the season playing well.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson did little in the Week 17 regular-season finale at Cincinnati on Sunday. Dickson caught just one pass in the game for 20 yards. Baltimore won the game and grabbed a first-round bye in the playoffs as AFC North champions. Dickson was targeted just once in the game.
Analysis: Dickson was out-played by Dennis Pitta in the Week 17 regular-season finale. Pitta scored and saw more looks, though Dickson has been the more reliable Fantasy tight end this season. Dickson finished the year with four touchdown catches as he caught one each in Weeks 15 and 16. That said, Dickson never topped 79 yards receiving in any game and he certainly wasn't a consistently reliable Fantasy TE on the year. Dickson will enter the playoffs as a decent option and will be more of a No. 2 Fantasy TE looking forward to next season.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson heads into the Week 17 regular-season finale at Cincinnati looking to score a touchdown for the third straight game. He will have to do it against a Bengals team he only had two catches for 21 yards against Week 11 at home.
Analysis: Dickson has just five catches for 50 yards in his last two games, but two of those catches have gone for scores and that definitely means something as QB Joe Flacco looks for him in the end zone. The Bengals are solid against tight ends, though, and did keep him in check in the last meeting. Fantasy owners can look at Dickson as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 17.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson scored for the second straight game and fifth time this season in Week 16 against the Browns. Dickson opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He finished with two catches for 14 yards on five targets.
Analysis: Dickson probably benefited on his touchdown from the absence of Anquan Boldin, who will also sit out Week 17 due to knee surgery. The Ravens still have playoff seeding on the line in Week 17, so Dickson will be worth using as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy TE. He had two catches for 21 yards against Cincinnati in Week 11.
News: The Ravens announced Thursday that WR Anquan Boldin will miss the final two games of the regular season because of knee surgery. His absence could mean TE Ed Dickson plays a bigger role on offense. Dickson, however, doesn't have a strong history against his Week 16 opponent, the Cleveland Browns. Dickson didn't record a catch in his first two games as a rookie against Cleveland in 2010, and he only managed three catches for 47 yards against them in Week 13 this season. TEs average 7.4 Fantasy points per week against Cleveland and have totaled just one TD against the Browns in Cleveland's last nine games.
Analysis: The Browns presented a favorable matchup for TEs early in the season, but lately they have done a good job against TEs. Dickson did have his fourth TD of the season in Week 15, but he is still not reliable on a week-to-week basis. Dickson is at best a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 16, even with Boldin sidelined.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson doesn't have a strong history against his Week 16 opponent, the Cleveland Browns. Dickson didn't record a catch in his first two games as a rookie against Cleveland in 2010, and he only managed three catches for 47 yards against them in Week 13 this season. TEs average 7.4 Fantasy points per week against Cleveland and have totaled just one TD against the Browns in Cleveland's last nine games.
Analysis: The Browns presented a favorable matchup for TEs early in the season, but lately they have done a good job against TEs. Dickson did have his fourth TD of the season in Week 15, but he is still not reliable on a week-to-week basis. Dickson is at best a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 16.
News: After posting just 19 yards on two catches his last time out, Ravens TE Ed Dickson was able to get back on track in Week 15 against the Chargers. He caught three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown in the 34-14 loss. His fourth score of the year came in the second quarter when QB Joe Flacco found him from 15 yards out. Dickson was targeted four times in the defeat.
Analysis: Dickson has been very streaky in Fantasy thus far but he showed on Sunday that he can be productive when Flacco is looking his way. He is having a career campaign in his second year out of Oregon and should only continue to develop into a viable Fantasy TE. But until he proves to be more consistent, consider Dickson as more of a No. 2 option for Week 16 against the Browns. He caught three passes for 47 yards when he faced Cleveland earlier in the year.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson hasn't done a whole lot since his 10-catch outing back in Week 10. He'll look to get back on board in Week 15 versus San Diego, but it won't be easy. San Diego has been allowing 6.62 Fantasy points per contest to opposing team's tight ends. The Chargers also boast a top-five defense against the pass. They are allowing 211 receiving yards per game, but have been burned for 22 touchdowns through the air.
Analysis: Baltimore is usually a run-first team, so the passing game rarely shines. Dickson has emerged as a solid target for Joe Flacco, but he's still an inconsistent performer. Fantasy owners should view him as a low-end No. 2 TE option for Week 15.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson totaled two catches for 19 yards in Week 14 against the Colts. He was targeted twice in the game.
Analysis: Dickson was a hot commodity in Fantasy after his 10-catch, two-touchdown performance in Week 10. Sadly, he hasn't even come close to those totals since. Dickson has a total of eight catches for 102 yards and no touchdowns in his last four games. Dickson might have a good game every now and then, but he lacks big-play consistency. Dickson is at best a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 15 against the Chargers.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson will face the Colts for the first time in his career Week 14. He will face a defense yielding 7.3 Fantasy points per week to TEs. TEs have scored six times against Indianapolis this season.
Analysis: Dickson has been fairly quiet for Fantasy owners since going off for 10 catches and two touchdowns against the Seahawks. He has just six catches for 83 yards and no touchdowns in his last three games. The Ravens run a balanced offense, with RB Ray Rice being the star on offense. It's hard to predict what to expect from Dickson on a weekly basis, but we don't expect many 10-catch, two-touchdown games. Look to Dickson as a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 14.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson had been struggling in recent weeks, so the three passes he caught for 47 yards in Week 13 at Cleveland were a minor breakout. In his two games prior, he had three catches for 36 yards combined, so it was his best game since Week 10. The Ravens didn’t pass the ball much in the game, as they had 52 runs for 290 yards. His four targets did lead the team, and he also led the team in catches and yards.
Analysis: It’s not hard to imagine Dickson enjoying a larger role in the offense if the situation had called for it, but the Ravens ran the ball so effectively that they never needed to rely on the passing game. Leading the team in targets is a good sign no matter how many targets he actually had, so Fantasy owners can look at Dickson with a bit of optimism moving forward. In Week 14, the Ravens face Indianapolis, who allows just six points per game to opposing TEs but just got ripped apart by the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski. Dickson could have a nice day against them and could be considered a sleeper for Week 14.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson’s production has slowed to a crawl after his monster Week 10 performance. Since that 10 catch, 79 yard, two touchdown showing, Hickson has just three catches for 36 catches in two games. It has been an up and down season for the second-year player out of Oregon, but he may have a chance to turn it around in Week 13 as Baltimore takes on Cleveland.
Analysis: The Browns allow 8.27 Fantasy points per game to opposing TEs, ninth worst mark in the NFL. The Browns have been so good at stopping opposing WRs that they have let TEs hurt them a little more. However, Dickson’s struggles have been so great recently that it’s hard to recommend him as anything more than a low-end No. 2 TE for Week 13.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson notched one reception for 15 yards during the Ravens' 16-6 win over San Francisco in Week 12 on Thursday night. Dickson was held to less than two catches for the first time this season as he was targeted only twice by QB Joe Flacco.
Analysis: Since registering 10 catches and two touchdowns against Seattle in Week 10, Dickson has managed just three receptions in his past two games combined. He also watched fellow TE Dennis Pitta score the lone touchdown on Thursday's game and finished with four fewer yards than the backup. Dickson isn't getting targeted as much as he was earlier this year and should be viewed as a low-end TE option in Week 13 at Cleveland.
News: A week after posting a career-high 10 catches at Seattle, Baltimore TE Ed Dickson matched a season low with two receptions in Week 11 against Cincinnati. Dickson, who also doubled his season touchdown total against the Seahawks (two), averaged just 10.5 yards per catch in a win over the Bengals. He will look to bounce back in Week 12 against San Francisco, which is yielding 249.2 passing yards per game this season.
Analysis: Dickson and the rest of the Ravens receivers were overshadowed by Torrey Smith, who busted out for 165 yards on six catches last Sunday. Dickson has turned in some solid performances this season and posted four outings with five-plus receptions. However, fellow TE Dennis Pitta has seen additional looks recently and could limit Dickson's productivity. The 49ers has surrendered an average of 6.2 Fantasy points per game and just two touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year. Consider Dickson a low-end No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 12.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson had an underwhelming performance Week 11 in a win over the Bengals. Dickson caught two passes for 21 yards in the game. He had a long catch of 14 yards and was targeted just three times by QB Joe Flacco.
Analysis: Dickson had those two touchdowns Week 10 at Seattle, but has really done little outside of that this season for the Ravens. We're not sold that the Week 10 performance wasn't just an aberration for Dickson. Facing the 49ers Week 12, San Francisco has been pretty good at limiting the Fantasy production of tight ends this season. In fact, only two touchdowns have been scored by the position against San Francisco all season long. Dickson should only be considered a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 12.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson caught a career-high 10 catches for 79 yards and two last Sunday against Seattle. He is expecting it to be very difficult to repeat those numbers in Week 11 against the Bengals. "After catching 10 passes, I expect (Cincinnati) to put a little coverage on me," Dickson said. "I'll keep running the same routes and doing the things I do best." Dickson has one catch for 17 yards against the Bengals in two career games against them.
Analysis: Dickson had all of one touchdown all season coming into his breakout performance against the Seahawks, so it's not like he was the most-reliable player on offense for the Ravens. TEs average 6.6 Fantasy points per week against the Bengals, but certain TEs have had success against Cincinnati. San Francisco's Vernon Davis hauled in eight passes for 114 yards Week 3. Dallas Clark went for six catches for 53 yards and a TD Week 6. Dickson isn't expected to duplicate his Week 10 numbers, but Fantasy owners can use him as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 Fantasy option.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson enters Week 11 against Cincinnati as perhaps the hottest tight end in the NFL. Dickson caught 10 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns last week in Seattle. Plus, he was targeted 14 times by QB Joe Flacco. With the Cincinnati secondary and run defense solid, the Ravens could look to Dickson early and often on Sunday. Dickson has one catch for 17 yards against the Bengals in two career games against them.
Analysis: The Bengals have solid numbers limiting tight ends in Fantasy this season, but teams have been able to find their tight ends against them if they try. Case in point: San Francisco's Vernon Davis hauled in eight passes for 114 yards Week 3. Dallas Clark went for six catches for 53 yards and a TD for the lowly Colts Week 6. Dickson isn't expected to duplicate his Week 10 numbers, but Fantasy owners can use him in a pinch as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 Fantasy option.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson caught three passes in a row, the second reception good for 15 yards, in the second quarter in Week 10 versus Seattle. Joe Flacco continued to look his way on that drive as he made some quality catches for first downs. He had five catches for 48 yards on that drive before catching a 1-yard pass from Ray Rice. Dickson was targeted a team-high 14 times and caught 10 passes for 79 yards and two scores. The Ravens would end up losing the game, 22-17, however.
Analysis: Dickson now has three touchdowns on the year as he is making Baltimore fans forget about Todd Heap. Dickson continues to get plenty of looks from Flacco and is making the most of his opportunity. Fantasy owners should consider Dickson a nice waiver-wire pickup at this point of the season as he could produce solid numbers in the second half of the year. The Ravens face the Bengals in Week 11, a team allowing 217.4 passing yards per contest. In nine games they've given up just nine passing touchdowns.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson is coming off a game where he had just two catches for 8 yards. He's been getting plenty of looks from Joe Flacco, but isn't making the most of his opportunities. The Ravens face the Seahawks in Week 10, a team that opposing team's tight ends have been averaging 7.25 Fantasy points per contest. The Seahawks have been giving up 242.2 passing yards per contest this season.
Analysis: Dickson has 30 catches for 277 yards and one touchdown on the year for Baltimore. Dickson was outperformed last week by Dennis Pitta, but both are vying for the looks Todd Heap used to get. Fantasy owners should view Dickson as a low-end No. 2 TE option at best for Week 10.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson didn't contribute much in Week 9 as he had just two catches for 8 yards. He was targeted five times by Joe Flacco, but just couldn't haul in the passes. The Ravens would end up winning the game, 23-20, over the Steelers.
Analysis: Dickson has 30 catches for 277 yards and one touchdown on the year for Baltimore. They are in their first season without Todd Heap, so Dickson and Dennis Pitta have been vying for looks from Flacco. The Ravens face the Seahawks in Week 10, a team that has been giving up 242.2 passing yards per contest this season. Seattle has also been burned for 10 passing touchdowns. Fantasy owners should view Dickson as a low-end No. 2 TE option at best for Week 10.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson is coming off his best outing of the year and will look to keep that momentum going in Week 9 versus the Steelers. Dickson has 28 receptions for 269 yards and one touchdown this season. Pittsburgh has allowed 10 passing touchdowns in eight games and are giving up an average of a league best 171.6 passing yards per contest. That translates into 7.25 Fantasy points per contest to opposing team's tight ends.
Analysis: Dickson and the Ravens faced one of the worst team's against the pass last weekend and now face the best on the road in Week 9. It's a tall order for a Baltimore offense that has struggled over the past few weeks. Fantasy owners should consider Dickson a low-end No. 2 TE option for Week 9.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson tallied a season-high six receptions for 46 yards during the Ravens' 30-27 victory over Arizona in Week 8. Dickson took advantage of QB Joe Flacco's solid passing day and collected nine targets. Flacco registered a career-high 51 passing attempts.
Analysis: Dickson appeared to be a forgotten man in Baltimore's offense as he managed just 43 total yards on six catches in his previous two games before Sunday. But with the Cardinals owning one of the poorest defenses in the NFL, the Ravens opted to air the ball out and Dickson was a beneficiary. His yardage total was his best since Week 3 against St. Louis (51). Consider him a possible bye-week replacement in Week 9 at Pittsburgh.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson has failed to top 25 receiving yards in two outing this season -- both have come in the Ravens' past two games. Dickson tallied four receptions for 23 yards in Week 7 at Jacksonville as he posted a season-low 5.8 yards per catch. However, he has performed better at home this year and Baltimore hosts Arizona in Week 8. Dickson scored his lone touchdown of the season in Week 1 against Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Dickson's presence in the offense seemed firm at the beginning of the season when he averaged four catches and 45 yards per game in his first three games. But his targets have dipped as QB Joe Flacco has struggled recently and he's managed just 43 total yards in the past two games. The Cardinals have yielded eight Fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this year and allowed a touchdown in Week 7. Consider Dickson a low-end No. 2 Fantasy TE or possible bye-week replacement for Week 8.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson came up with most of the passes thrown his way in Week 7 against the Jaguars. He was targeted five times by QB Joe Flacco, posting four grabs for 23 yards in the 12-7 loss. Dickson had a long reception of 8 and averaged 5.8 yards per catch.
Analysis: Dickson came into Monday night averaging 11.1 yards per catch but the Jaguars did a solid job of limiting the Ravens' passing game. His production has been inconsistent thus far, and he has not been able to find the end zone since the season opener. Hopefully he will be able to bounce back in Week 8 against the Cardinals but until he starts proving his worth on the field, continue to view Dickson as more of a low-end No. 1/ high-end No. 2 Fantasy TE.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson will be looking to play a larger role on offense in Week 7 against the Jaguars. Dickson was held to just two catches for 20 yards in the team's 29-14 win over the Texans last week. Jacksonville enters Monday night's contest ranked eighth in pass defense, allowing 210.3 yards per game. The Jaguars have surrendered nine touchdowns through the air and have allowed an average of 10.3 Fantasy points to opposing TEs this season.
Analysis: Dickson has not found the end zone since Week 1 but continues to see passes thrown his way by Joe Flacco. His 35 targets rank 13th among all TEs and he has been targeted a combined 15 times over his last two contests. However, Dickson has not been able to find the end zone since Week 1 and has yet to catch more than five passes in a single game. Still, owners looking for a quality bye-week replacement at TE, can consider Dickson a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy option against Jacksonville.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson had his slowest game of the season in Week 6 against the Texans. He caught just two passes for 20 yards in the 29-14 win. He nearly took his first grab for a touchdown but was pushed out at the 1-yardline.
Analysis: Dickson has not reached the end zone since the season opener but he continues to progress as a tight end for the Ravens. While he was targeted just three times on Sunday, he has shown that he can be a reliable option in the passing game for QB Joe Flacco. But until he becomes more consistent with his production, consider to view him as a low-end option in Fantasy. Dickson should be viewed as a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 7 against the Jaguars.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson will be looking to find the end zone for the first time since the season opener in Week 6 against the Texans. Houston ranks sixth in the league against the pass, giving up over 208 yards per game, and have allowed an average of 4.2 Fantasy points to opposing tight ends. When Dickson faced the Texans a year ago, he had one catch for 7 yards.
Analysis: Dickson was targeted a team-high 12 times in the last game and has become more apart of the offense in 2011. He is beginning to serve like Todd Heap once did for the Ravens and should continue to get better as the season goes on. Keep an eye on his progress going forward but heading into Week 6 against the Texans, consider Dickson as more of a No. 2 Fantasy TE.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson saw a lot of passes thrown his way in Week 4 against the Jets. He was targeted a team-high 12 times by Joe Flacco, catching four passes for 45 yards in the 34-17 win.
Analysis: Dickson has not found the end zone since Week 1 but continues to see passes thrown his way by Flacco. The second-year man out of Oregon is slowly turning into a viable Fantasy option and could end up posting Todd Heap-like numbers. Keep an eye on his progress going forward but with Baltimore on a bye next week, keep Dickson stashed away in deeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson will be going up against a tough pass defense in Week 4 against the Jets. New York ranks sixth in the league against the pass, giving up just under 189 yards per contest, and have allowed an average of six Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Analysis: Dickson has gotten more involved in the offense this season with Todd Heap gone and needs just 18 more yards to surpass his career high. The former Duck could be in for a slow performance in Week 4, however, as the Jets have the linebackers and secondary to shut down opponent's tight ends. Considering the matchup, view Dickson as a No. 2 Fantasy TE against New York.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson was fairly productive in Week 3 against the Rams. Dickson caught five passes for 51 yards in the 37-7 victory, and was targeted nine times by QB Joe Flacco. He had a long of 19 yards and averaged 10.2 yards per reception.
Analysis: After putting up pretty pedestrian numbers last Sunday against Tennessee, Dickson was much more involved in the offense in Week 3. His nine targets were the second highest on the team and Flacco appears to be getting more and more comfortable looking his way. While he continues to split reps Dennis Pitta, Dickson appears to have a leg up on the 26-year-old, so owners should continue consider him a No. 2 Fantasy TE heading into Week 4 against the Jets.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson will be looking to bounce back in Week 3 against the Rams. Dickson was held to just two catches for 25 yards last Sunday against the Titans. St. Louis boasts the leagues fifth best pass defense, allowing 174 passing yards a game thus far. The Rams have only given up a pair of touchdowns through the air and surrendered an average of 1.0 Fantasy point to opposing TEs on the season, which ranks second overall.
Analysis: While Dickson did not put up big numbers last Sunday in Tennessee, he still was involved in the passing. Joe Flacco looked his way six times in the loss and hasn't been afraid to go too Dickson in most situations. However, it appears the 24-year-old has a tough matchup this week. While the Rams have struggled on defense this season, they have been able to defend the tight end position quite well. Despite the fact that Dickson continues to split reps with Dennis Pitta, he can still be considered a No. 2 Fantasy TE heading into Week 3.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson totaled two catches for 25 yards in Week 2 against the Titans. His longest catch went 16 yards and he was targeted six times in the game.
Analysis: Dickson didn't have a standout performance in Week 2, but most of the Ravens didn't in a 26-13 loss. The thing to take away here is that Dickson was still targeted six times and appears to be a big part of the Ravens' passing game now that TE Todd Heap is gone. Dickson is splitting reps with Dennis Pitta, but Dickson can be viewed as a No. 2 Fantasy TE heading into Week 3 against the Rams.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson had a career performance in Week 1 against the Steelers and will look to keep the momentum going in the right direction heading into Week 2 against the Titans. Dickson has a touchdown in two of his last four games, including Week 1. Although, the Titans did bottle up Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis in Week 1, holding him to two catches for 28 yards.
Analysis: The Ravens have a good set of young TEs in Dickson and Pitta, who proved in Week 1 that they are ready to replace veteran Todd Heap, who was cut in the preseason. But both players will be tested in Week 2 against Tennessee. The Titans have Barrrett Ruud and Will Witherspoon in the linebacker corps, with Michael Griffin and Chris Hope as the starting safeties. Dickson is worth the waiver claim in deeper Fantasy formats, but consider him a No. 2 Fantasy TE for Week 2.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson had a breakout performance on Sunday of Week 1 in a win over the Steelers. Dickson was involved in the offense early and often as QB Joe Flacco targeted him five times in the game. Dickson caught all five targets and finished with 59 yards receiving. Dickson caught an 18-yard TD pass from Flacco in the third quarter. Looking big and athletic, Dickson led all Baltimore receivers with his five grabs and only Anquan Boldin was targeted more times by Flacco.
Analysis: Dickson could be in line for a huge season for the Ravens this year, especially after his Week 1 performance. Flacco obviously feels comfortable throwing the ball to his tight end, though Dennis Pitta also had a nice game. Fantasy owners should begin targeting Dickson in deeper Fantasy formats heading into Week 2 in Tennessee. Not only was Dickson targeted more than Pitta, he also caught the ball in the end zone. This situation is a bit hairy at the moment, as Pitta could easily be the better option in Week 2. Still, after one game it appears that Dickson will be the go-to TE. He's a low-end option heading into Week 2, but he should be on Fantasy owners' radars.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson caught four passes for 61 yards in the preseason as he battled with Dennis Pitta for first-team reps. Coach John Harbaugh was impressed with the progress Dickson made from his rookie season in 2010. “Well, he’s grown. [We] would have loved to have him in the offseason to see if we could do even more with him, but I think he’s made great first year to second year progress," Harbaugh said. "[His] run blocking tremendously improved. Just understanding the game -- speed of the game, all that stuff -- he looks like he’s very comfortable.”
Analysis: Even if Dickson doesn't end up atop the depth chart that doesn't mean he isn't going to be a factor on offense for Baltimore this season. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has said he is going to use both Dickson and Pitta with the first team in 2011. Dickson isn't much more than a reserve Fantasy TE heading into the season, but he could be worth adding off waivers if he gets off to a fast start.
News: Expect to see plenty of TE Ed Dickson and TE Dennis Pitta with the first team this season, according to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. "They’re going to work in unison,” Cameron said on Monday. "You’ll see them both in the game in different packages. In my mind we have two starting tight ends.”
Analysis: Dickson caught three passes for 57 yards against the Redskins in the team's most recent preseason game. Pitta caught just two passes for 16 yards in that game, but did have four grabs for 47 yards in the preseason opener. This could be a sign of what to expect once the season rolls around with what could be termed as a split role for the two tight ends. That limits their value to being more of a possible bye week replacement option than a starter in most leagues. They both warrant monitoring, however.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson was able to get down the field in Thursday's game against the Redskins. He saw the majority of the first-team reps though Dennis Pitta saw some as well. Dickson was the more lethal of the two, hauling in three passes for 57 yards. He was targeted four times by QB Joe Flacco.
Analysis: Dickson and Flacco had some chemistry going on their biggest connection of the night, on a 33-yard completion. The QB threw the ball on the back shoulder of the Oregon product, and he adjusted up the seam while the defender's head was turned towards him. The solid execution may be a sign of things to come, though Fantasy owners should not bank on him as a No. 1 TE in most leagues. Dickson is worth selecting only with a late-round pick in the deepest of leagues.
News: Ravens TE Dennis Pitta is taking reps with the first team Saturday even though TE Ed Dickson (hamstring) is back at practice. Pitta was the offensive star Thursday night with four catches for 46 yards, which included an acrobatic catch to begin the game.
Analysis: It's a good sign that Dickson is back at practice, and hopefully his hamstring will be 100 percent. Pitta and Dickson will likely continue to split reps when both are healthy, and we'll find out as the preseason goes on who will take over the starting job for the departed Todd Heap. Whoever starts for the Ravens should only be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy TE and is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues.
News: The Baltimore Sun reports that a hamstring injury sidelined Ravens TE Ed Dickson for four consecutive days of practice and the Ravens’ 13-6 loss to the Eagles in the preseason opener Thursday night. How much longer the tight end will remain on the sideline is a question that Dickson answered without committing himself to a specific date. “I’m day-to-day right now,” he said. “With a soft-tissue hamstring injury, you’ve got to take it one day at a time. For a person of my nature where I’m blocking guys and I’m running full-speed routes, you can easily hurt it again. So they wanted to take time and keep me out of this game. I’m eager to get back. Preseason, any game that I get to play in and see another team, I’m eager to get in because our defense gives us a great look every day.”
Analysis: Dickson, who caught 11 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown last season, is eager to get back and compete with Dennis Pitta and Davon Drew for the right to succeed Todd Heap as the starting tight end. Pitta led the Ravens in receiving, catching four passes for 47 yards against the Eagles. We expect Dickson to come back and make it a tough competition with Pitta. Keep an eye on who wins the battle because the starting TE for Baltimore could be a sleeper in deep leagues.
News: The Carroll County Times reports Ravens TE Ed Dickson will miss Thursday's preseason opener against the Eagles with a pulled hamstring that might keep him out until midway through the preseason. "He had the best practice he has had since he has been here, he has had a lot of good ones, but then pulled his hamstring," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "We will get him back whenever we get him back. Hamstrings can be a little tricky, but he was having an outstanding camp and I am sure we will hopefully get him back for at least two or maybe even three of the preseason games." Dennis Pitta will run with the first team in Dickson's absence.
Analysis: This is not the ideal time for Dickson to get hurt seeing how he is in line to start for Baltimore with Todd Heap now out of the picture. But it seems he should be back for the season opener as long as he doesn't suffer a setback. Pitta will also provide good competition for Dickson, who totaled 11 catches for 152 yards and one touchdown in 15 games as a rookie. Consider Dickson at best a late-round Fantasy option and reserve TE on Draft Day.
News: Multiple sources reported Sunday that the Cardinals agreed to a two-year contract with TE Todd Heap, after he was released by the Ravens Thursday. There was speculation that the team would bring him back for less money, though it is obviously not the case now. The move should open the door for Baltimore TE Ed Dickson to get the starting job.
Analysis: Dickson should be considered a sleeper heading into Draft Day, considering he showed some potential late last season when Heap was hurt. Still, he is not worth selecting in most formats. Dickson is more of a wait-and-see option to be monitored throughout the year, and he could end up as a marginal player or bye-week replacement.
News: If the Ravens do not re-sign TE Todd Heap, Ed Dickson will be the team's top TE. "It means a lot they have that much faith in me," Dickson said. "I've been here one year. All I can do is improve my game." Dickson praised mentoring he got from Heap. He called Heap "Superman," referencing to Heap mentoring him during his rookie season. "If he's gone, I'll be missing a brother," Dickson said. "He's been nothing but genuine and nice to me, a great teammate."
Analysis: Dickson would be considered a potential sleeper in deep leagues and a quality No. 2 Fantasy TE if he emerges as the starter in Baltimore. There's still a chance Heap could re-sign with the Ravens, but keep an eye on what develops. Dickson would not be worth drafting in the majority of leagues, but he could be a bye-week or injury replacement.
News: Baltimore TE Ed Dickson started in place of injured and inactive Todd Heap in the Week 16 game in Cleveland. Dickson has started the last three games for the Ravens.
Analysis: Dickson has been decent in place of Heap but Fantasy owners have been going with more reliable and established options and we believe that is the smartest play entering the second-to-last game of the season.
News: Baltimore rookie TE Ed Dickson got another start Sunday against New Orleans in Week 15 with Todd Heap (hamstring) out. Dickson, who also started in Week 14 at Houston, made the most of the opportunity with two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. He had two targets in the game and actually scored on a 34-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Analysis: Dickson could get another start in Week 16 at Cleveland if Heap remains out. Continue to monitor Heap's status, but Dickson could be worth using as a low-end No. 1 option against the Browns if Heap is out.
News: With the Ravens already ruling out TE Todd Heap (hamstring) for Week 15 against the Saints, Ed Dickson is expected to start in Heap's absence. The Saints are allowing TEs to average 5.9 points per week. The Saints have allowed just two TEs to score against them this season and no TE has scored against New Orleans since Tony Gonzalez did it in Week 3.
Analysis: Dickson disappointed a lot of folks in Week 14 after he posted one catch for 7 yards against the Texans despite having a favorable matchup. Fantasy owners got overly excited after Dickson was targeted seven times against the Steelers the week before. The Saints have a very good pass defense and QB Joe Flacco might need to look across the middle of the field to help open up the passing game. But since no TE has scored against New Orleans since Week 3, Dickson remains a low-end Fantasy start for Week 15.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson, who made his second career start in Week 14 against the Texans, was not much of a factor in the contest. Dickson was only targeted once in the 34-28 win and finished with one reception for 7 yards.
Analysis: Dickson started in place of the injured Tod Heap, but didn't do much on Monday. The Ravens are very high on the rookie out of Oregon and he will likely get another start next week against the Saints if Heap is still out. Continue to monitor Heap's status through the week to see if he will play in Week 15. If Heap is back, Dickson won't have much Fantasy value.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson got the in Week 14 against the Texans after Todd Heap was listed among the inactives due to a hamstring injury. Houston ranks last in the league against the pass, allowing over 287 yards per game, and have given up an average of 10.5 Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Analysis: Dickson had three catches for 21 yards against the Steelers once Heap went down, and he had seven targets in the game. Only WR Anquan Boldin (nine) was targeted more by QB Joe Flacco. Dickson should be considered a sleeper against the Texans since they have struggled to defend tight ends all season. He has the potential to be a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy TE.
News: With tight end Todd Heap expected to miss the Monday night game against Houston, the Ravens will have to start rookie Ed Dickson at TE. Dickson is likely to get his first NFL start on Monday night of Week 14.
Analysis: Dickson had three catches for 21 yards against the Steelers once Heap went down, and he had seven targets in the game. Only WR Anquan Boldin (nine) was targeted more by QB Joe Flacco. Dickson should be considered a sleeper against the Texans since they have struggled to defend tight ends all season. He has the potential to be a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy TE.
News: Ravens TE Todd Heap did not practice Thursday because of his injured hamstring. He is not expected to play in Week 14 at Houston on Monday night. Heap was injured in Week 13 against Pittsburgh. If Heap is out as expected then rookie Ed Dickson would start against the Texans. Dickson had three catches for 21 yards against the Steelers once Heap went down, and he had seven targets in the game. Only WR Anquan Boldin (nine) was targeted more by Flacco.
Analysis: Dickson should be considered a sleeper against the Texans since they have struggled to defend tight ends all season. He has the potential to be a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy TE if Heap is out as expected.
News: After starting Ravens TE Todd Heap (hamstring) left the Week 13 game against the Steelers on the first play from scrimmage, rookie TE Ed Dickson was thrust into a prominent role in the passing offense. He dropped the first pass that QB Joe Flacco threw his way, but corralled three on the night for 21 yards on seven targets. Only WR Anquan Boldin (nine) was targeted more by Flacco.
Analysis: The rookie out of Oregon has the receiving skills from the TE spot, but the blocking is another story. He was constantly beat by the top-notch Steelers LBs in the run-game. With the severity of Heap's hamstring strain unknown, Dickson could continue to play a bigger role in Baltimore. Monitor the situation in the coming days to see what Dickson's chances are to start in the Week 14 game against the Texans on Monday night. If he does, consider him to be a No. 2 Fantasy TE at best.
News: Ravens backup rookie TE Ed Dickson caught a 7-yard pass while playing in place of Todd Heap, who took a hit and missed a bit of the team's Week 6 game at New England.
Analysis: We expect Heap to be fine for Week 7, but if he's not then Dickson would emerge as a big sleeper. Why? Because the Ravens would host the Bills, and they have allowed five touchdowns over their last three games to tight ends, including two to Marcedes Lewis of the Jaguars and two to Dustin Keller. DIckson likely will only carry value in dynasty/keeper leagues as a long-term Fantasy option.
News: Ravens rookie TE Ed Dickson caught a 58-yard pass early in Baltimore's Week 5 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Dickson is a little-used backup TE in Baltimore and the youngster can continue to be ignored in Fantasy play heading into Week 6 at New England.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson ended up with one catch for 17 yards in Week 2 against the Bengals. He was targeted twice in the game. Dickson has the one catch in two games this season.
Analysis: The rookie out of Oregon has some pass-catching skills, but he sits behind Todd Heap on the depth chart and is fighting with fellow rookie Dennis Pitta for backup reps. Dickson can be ignored in Fantasy until further notice. The Ravens play the Browns in Week 3.
News: Ravens TE Ed Dickson saw some playing time against the Jets in Week 1 but did not have many passes thrown his way. The rookie was targeted once but did not have a reception in the 10-9 win.
Analysis: Dickson is a big target at 6-4, 250 pounds but was mainly used to block in Week 1. He appears to be the No. 2 option behind Todd Heap and should be able to collect some stats as the season goes on. At this point though, Fantasy owners should leave Dickson on the waiver wire in all but rookie-only formats.
News: The backup tight end race is tightening for the Ravens. Rookie Ed Dickson has established himself offensively. He had four catches for 56 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants. Dickson is competing with fellow rookie TE Dennis Pitta, who had one catch for 11 yards against the Giants. Both are vying for the No. 2 TE role behind starter Todd Heap.
Analysis: Keep an eye on who wins the No. 2 TE job in Baltimore behind Heap in case Heap gets injured. But neither Dickson or Pitta has much Fantasy value in 2010. They should not be drafted in the majority of standard leagues and are only worth late-round pick in rookie-only formats.
News: The Ravens have signed third-round pick TE Ed Dickson.
Analysis: Dickson is considered a "hybrid" tight end with good athleticism and receiving skills but bad blocking skills. He accumulated 42 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns for the University of Oregon last year. Don't plan on drafting Dickson in seasonal leagues, but he is worth a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts as he could challenge starter Todd Heap for snaps if he performs well in camp.
News: Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday there's very little difference between rookie TEs Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, who both have shown good speed and the ability to catch the ball in tight coverage. "They are both big and bring a lot to the table," Harbaugh said. Dickson said his biggest challenge is blocking. "It all comes down to technique, and I'm not that far away," Dickson said. "I came here for a reason - and that's to show I can play in the NFL."
Analysis: Dickson and Pitta will compete for playing time behind Todd Heap and have minimal Fantasy value. Don't plan on drafting either rookie in seasonal leagues, but they are worth mid-round picks in rookie-only drafts.
News: To make sure veteran TE Todd Heap doesn't get overworked again in 2010, the Ravens picked two tight ends in succession during the 2010 draft, using third- and fourth-round choices on Ed Dickson of Oregon and Dennis Pitta of Brigham Young. Dickson is considered a "hybrid" tight end with good athleticism and receiving skills but bad blocking skills. He accumulated 42 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns for the Ducks last year. Pitta, who at 24 is older than your typical rookie, is more well-rounded. In 2009 he helped the Cougars with 62 catches for 829 yards and eight scores.
Analysis: Both tight ends are expected to complement Heap in 2010 and really won't get much of a chance to play unless (or until) Heap gets hurt. Obviously, Dickson is the one with upside but we could see Pitta contribute to a certain degree, too. Neither one should be drafted in seasonal play, but Dickson is worth the late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues. As for rookie-only drafts, Dickson is worth an early-to-middle choice while Pitta is OK with a middle-round pickup.
