Ray Rice - Rice seeks to become bigger receiving threat

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice wants to become a bigger receiving threat out of the backfield in 2013. 'Now that guys know that I'm a threat out of the backfield, I got to use my hands a little more,' Rice said. 'I get pushed a lot coming out of the backfield, and that's a sign of respect, but if I can get my hands and get out on pass routes and continue to get open for Joe Flacco.'
Huddle Up: With 2012 team receptions leader Anquan Boldin having moved on to San Fran, Rice and the TE duo of Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson should definitely see an uptick in targets. Rice did finish second on the team -- and second among NFL RBs -- with 61 catches for 478 yards in 2012, but his reception total was the second-lowest of his 5-year

Ravens RB Ray Rice wants to be used as a receiver more

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

No matter that Ray Rice has the most receptions among running backs since the start of the 2008 season and that he had the most receptions of any AFC back last year. He wants more. quot;Now that guys know that I'm a threat out of the backfield, I got to use my hands a little more," Rice said Sunday, via the Baltimore Sun. "I get pushed a lot coming out of the backfield, and that's a sign of respect, but if I can get my hands and get out on pass routes and continue to get open for Joe Flacco." Rice's 61 catches last season were his least since his rookie year. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The Ravens don't have a proven second wide receiver right now, so maybe Rice picks up the slack there, along with tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson. Rice is

Ed Dickson - Ravens could use more 2-TE sets

Source: The Huddle

The Baltimore Ravens could use more two-tight end sets in 2013 to help overcome the loss of WR Anquan Boldin. "We've got some tight ends who can pick up the slack," assistant general manager Eric DeCosta siad. "Ed Dickson made some big plays last year in the Super Bowl, really played his best football in the playoffs. 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. Obviously, we've got Dennis Pitta, we've got Torrey Smith. We've got playmakers. We're excited about what we can do on offense.'
Huddle Up: Dickson's postseason performance may have appeared better than it was because of a lackluster 2012 regular season

Ravens | Could use two tight end set

Source: Footballguys.com

The Baltimore Ravens could use more two tight end sets in 2013 to help overcome the loss of WR Anquan Boldin. 'We've got some tight ends who can pick up the slack," assistant general manager Eric DeCosta siad. "Ed Dickson made some big plays last year in the Super Bowl, really played his best football in the playoffs. 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. Obviously, we've got Dennis Pitta, we've got Torrey Smith. We've got playmakers. We're excited about what we can do on offense.' Our View: That move would make a lot of sense. Pitta and Dickson are both talented players who create mismatch problems for opposing defense. Dickson

Ed Dickson - Dickson expected to get original-round tender

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens impending restricted free agent TE Ed Dickson is expected to get an original round tender of $1.323 million.
Huddle Up: Dickson was a third-round pick, so if he's signed by another team the Ravens would receive a third-round selection as compensation. His best shot at significant fantasy value would be in Baltimore if Dennis Pitta doesn't return, or with another team where he would be the primary pass-catching tight end.

Dennis Pitta - Pitta expected to get second round tender

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens impending restricted free agent TE Dennis Pitta is expected to receive a second-round tender from the team. That could prompt an offer sheet from an opposing team, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. If the Ravens were to pay another $856,000, they would eliminate any risk of an offer sheet by assigning a first-round tender to Pitta. The Ravens are in a bad salary cap situation though, and may have to take a chance with the second-round tender.
Huddle Up: The Ravens have work to do to stay under the cap and still retain key members of their Super Bowl championship team. They can't spring for the extra money to keep Pitta, but teams won't be quick to part with a second-rounder so the Ravens

Ravens | Ed Dickson expected to get original-round tender

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens impending restricted free agent TE Ed Dickson is expected to get an original round tender of $1.323 million.

Super Bowl Rankings

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

Quarterbacks

1. Joe Flacco (Bal)
2. Colin Kaepernick (SF)

Running Backs

1. Frank Gore (SF)
2. Ray Rice (Bal)
3. LaMichael James (SF)
4. Bernard Pierce (Bal)
5. Vonta Leach (Bal)
6. Anthony Dixon (SF)

Wide Receivers

1. Torrey Smith (Bal)
2. Anquan Boldin (Bal)
3. Michael Crabtree (SF)
4. Randy Moss (SF)
5. Jacoby Jones (Bal)
6. Tandon Doss (Bal)

Tight Ends

1. Vernon Davis (SF)
2. Dennis Pitta (Bal)
3. Delanie Walker (SF)
4. Ed Dickson (Bal)

Kickers

1. David Akers (SF)
2. Justin Tucker (Bal)

D/ST

1. Ravens
2. 49ers

Ravens | Offense confident heading into SB XLVII

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson believes the offense can take advantage of the San Francisco 49ers defense in Super Bowl XLVII. 'We've seen the success that Atlanta had,' Dickson said. 'We're not going to be naïve. I'm sure they've made corrections. In the end, it's all about us and the things that we do well with running the football and passing the ball, just being a balanced offense. We've seen a lot of things on film we can exploit, and we'll go after those things.'

2012 Conference Champioship Playoff Rankings

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

Quarterbacks

1. Colin Kaepernick (SF)
2. Joe Flacco (Bal)
3. Tom Brady (NE)
4. Matt Ryan (Atl)

Running Backs

1. Frank Gore (SF)
2. Ray Rice (Bal)
3. Steven Ridley (NE)
4. LaMichael James (SF)
5. Shane Vereen (NE)
6. Michael Turner (Atl)
7. Bernard Pierce (Bal)
8. Danny Woodhead (NE)
9. Jacquizz Rodgers (ATL)
10. Vonta Leach (Bal)

Wide Receivers

1. Michael Crabtree (SF)
2. Torrey Smith (Bal)
3. Wes Welker (NE)
4. Roddy White (Atl)
5. Jacoby Jones (Bal)
6. Julio Jones (Atl)
7. Anquan Boldin (Bal)
8. Brandon Lloyd (NE)
9. Randy Moss (SF)

Tight Ends

1. Aaron Hernandez (NE)
2. Dennis Pitta (Bal)
3. Tony Gonzalez (Atl)
4. Delanie Walker, (SF)
5. Ed Dickson (Bal)
6. Vernon Davis (SF)

2012 Divisional Playoff Rankings

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

Quarterbacks Peyton Manning (Den) Tom Brady (NE) Russell Wilson (Sea) Matt Ryan Matt Schaub (Hou) Colin Kaepernick Aaron Rodgers (GB) Joe Flacco Running Backs Marshawn Lynch (Sea) Knowshon Moreno (Den) Frank Gore (SF) Arian Foster (Hou) Ray Rice (Bal) Steven Ridley (NE) Michael Turner (Atl) Dujuan Harris (GB) Danny Woodhead (NE) Jacquizz Rodgers Bernard Pierce (Bal) Ben Tate (Hou) Ryan Grant (GB) Wide Receivers Demaryius Thomas (Den) Wes Welker (NE) Eric Decker (Den) Julio Jones (Atl) Michael Crabtree (SF) Andre Johnson (Hou) Roddy White (Atl) Randall Cobb (GB) Sidney Rice (Sea) Greg Jennings (GB) Anquann Boldin (Bal) Golden Tate (Sea) Brandon Stockley

2012 Playoff Rankings – Tavaner

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

The NFL Playoffs are now set after 17 grueling weeks of play! There are a ton of story lines to follow. Among the more intriguing are three rookie quarterbacks, one of whom is guaranteed to win a playoff game in their first year; a second year quarterback who took over in week ten; a Colt’s team who went from worst last year to a playoff team this year, riding an emotional high after the return of their head coach from a successful bout against leukemia; and a team that went from the favorite for a first round bye to the number three seed in a few short weeks.

These are the overall rankings for the playoffs. Some formats require you to choose from all the teams in the playoffs, others allow you to go week to week. These

Ravens | Nine probable for Week 16

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson (knee), S James Ihedigbo (neck), DT Arthur Jones (shoulder), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), S Ed Reed (shoulder), CB Jimmy Smith (abdomen), LB Terrell Suggs (biceps), WR Deonte Thompson (thigh) and WR LaQuan Williams (thigh) all fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 21, and are probable for Week 16.

Ravens | Six limited in practice

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens LB Albert McClellan (thigh, shoulder), TE Ed Dickson (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), S James Ihedigbo (neck), DT Arthur Jones (shoulder) and G Marshal Yanda (ankle) were all limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 20.

Ravens | Six limited in practice

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), S James Ihedigbo (neck), DT Arthur Jones (shoulder), FB Vonta Leach (ankle) and LB Albert McClellan (thigh/shoulder) all were limited in practice Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Ravens | Week 15 Inactives

Source: Footballguys.com

The Baltimore Ravens have declared SS Bernard Pollard, FS Christian Thompson, LB Dannell Ellerbe, TE Ed Dickson, LB Jameel McClain, OG Marshal Yanda, OT Ramon Harewood inactive for Week 15.

Ravens | One doubtful

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson (knee) was limited in practice Friday, Dec. 14, and is doubtful for Week 15.

Ravens | Four limited

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), DT Arthur Jones (shoulder) and RB Bernard Pierce (back) were limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 13.

Ravens | Three limited during practice

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens RB Bernard Pierce (back), TE Ed Dickson (knee) and LB Terrell Suggs (biceps) were limited during practice Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Dennis Pitta - Pitta to start in Week 14

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta will start in Week 14 against the Washington Redskins with TE Ed Dickson (knee) sidelined.
Huddle Up: Pitta has been off (1 catch, 5 yards in Week 11 and 1-19 in Week 13) and on (5-67, TD in Week 10 and 6-42, TD in Week 12) over the past month, and if the trend continues, he'll be on Sunday against the Skins.

Ravens | Dennis Pitta to start in Week 14

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta will start in Week 14 against the Washington Redskins with TE Ed Dickson (knee) sidelined.

Ravens | Two injured players may return

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said TE Ed Dickson (knee) and LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle, foot) have a chance to play Week 14.

Ravens | Week 13 Inactives

Source: Footballguys.com

The Baltimore Ravens have declared DL Bryan Hall, CB Chris X. Johnson, LB Dannell Ellerbe, WR Deonte Thompson, TE Ed Dickson, CB Jimmy Smith, OT Ramon Harewood inactive for Week 13.

Ravens | Ed Dickson to have more tests

Source: Footballguys.com

Updating a previous report, the Baltimore Ravens do not believe TE Ed Dickson (knee) suffered any ligament damage to his knee in Week 12 against the San Diego Chargers, but he will underdog more testing.

Ravens | Ed Dickson leaves game

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson (knee) left the Week 12 game against the San Diego Chargers in the first half due to a right knee injury. He went to the locker room for further evaluation, and he was unable to return.

Ravens | 13 probable for Week 12

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens T Terrence Cody (arm), TE Ed Dickson (neck), LB Dannell Ellerbe (toe, finger), S James Ihedigbo (neck), WR Jacoby Jones (ankle), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), TE Dennis Pitta (head), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder) and LB Terrell Suggs (shoulder, ankle) all were limited in practice Friday, Nov. 23 and are probable for Week 12. LB Courtney Upshaw (shoulder), G Marshal Yanda (ankle) and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (shoulder) all fully participated in practice and are probable.

Ravens | 11 limited in practice

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens T Terrence Cody (arm), TE Ed Dickson (neck), LB Dannell Ellerbe (toe, finger), S James Ihedigbo (neck), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), TE Dennis Pitta (head), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder), LB Terrell Suggs (shoulder, ankle) and WR Jacoby Jones (ankle) all were limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 22.

Ravens | 10 limited

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens DT Terrence Cody (elbow), TE Ed Dickson (neck), LB Dannell Ellerbe (toe, finger), S James Ihedigbo (neck), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), TE Dennis Pitta (head), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder) and LB Terrell Suggs (shoulder, ankle) were limited in practice Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Ravens | Ed Dickson dealing with minor injury

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said TE Ed Dickson (ankle) is dealing with a minor ankle injury.

Dennis Pitta - Concussion ends night for Ravens' Pitta

Source: The Huddle

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta suffered a concussion in the first quarter of Sunday's Week 11 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not return.
Huddle Up: Pitta finished with 1 catch for 5 yards in the game and was replaced by Ed Dickson. He'll now join the growing ranks of late-season players trying to pass concussion tests and get healthy for the stretch run.

Anquan Boldin - Ravens' Jones to be more involved

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron both want to get WR Jacoby Jones more involved in the offensive game plan in Week 10 versus the Oakland Raiders. Jones has just four catches and 32 yards in the last four games. Jones and WR Tandon Doss could see more playing time in a rotation with WRs Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. 'Let's get Jacoby out there a little more, let's get Tandon out there a little more,' Harbaugh said. 'Let's keep those guys a little fresher, because Torrey and Anquan, I mean, they'll play every play. They'll go until they can't, so we keep mixing in. We've got some playmakers, and we can mix them in a little more.' Jones and Doss being on the field cuts into playing time for FB

Ravens | Jacoby Jones to be more involved

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron both want to get WR Jacoby Jones more involved in the offensive game plan in Week 10 versus the Oakland Raiders. Jones has just four catches and 32 yards in the last four games. Jones and WR Tandon Doss could see more playing time in a rotation with WRs Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. 'Let's get Jacoby out there a little more, let's get Tandon out there a little more,' Harbaugh said. 'Let's keep those guys a little fresher, because Torrey and Anquan, I mean, they'll play every play. They'll go until they can't, so we keep mixing in. We've got some playmakers, and we can mix them in a little more.' Jones and Doss being on the field cuts into playing time for FB

Ravens | 15 fully participate in practice

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens CB Chykie Brown (ankle), LB Dannell Ellerbe (hand), S James Ihedigbo (hand), DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu (knee), T Bryant McKinnie (thigh), T Michael Oher (ankle), T Kelechi Osemele (ankle), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder, chest), WR Tandon Doss (illness), DT DeAngelo Tyson (foot), CB Jimmy Smith (abdominal), TE Ed Dickson (hand), LB Terrell Suggs (ankle), and G Marshal Yanda (shoulder) all fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 2, and are probable for the team's Week 9 game.

Ravens | 12 fully participate in practice

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens CB Chykie Brown (ankle), LB Dannell Ellerbe (hand), S James Ihedigbo (hand), DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu (knee), T Bryant McKinnie (thigh), T Michael Oher (ankle), T Kelechi Osemele (ankle), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder, chest), TE Ed Dickson (hand), LB Terrell Suggs (ankle) and G Marshal Yanda (shoulder) all fully participated in practice Thursday, Nov. 1.

Fantasy Intelligence Report - Week 7

Source: Fantasy Sharks NFL

Is Ryan Mathews finally arriving for fantasy owners? Who is Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones raving about, again? What do the New York Jets have to do to stop the New England Patriots offense? Why are Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson good starts this week at tight end?  Get the latest play breakdown that will affect many fantasy lineups.  Plus, hear me speak out on some of the things Scott Fujita recently had to say about the NFL's destructive head honcho.  The Intelligence Report is here.

Ravens | Dennis Pitta fairly quiet again

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta hauled in four receptions in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, but he totaled just 33 yards. Fellow TE Ed Dickson was even worse, managing just one catch for eight yards.

Shuffle Up: Mo Mathews, Mo Problems

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

This is a Shuffle Up, my friends. These are standard ranks that consider value if the season started today. These are not Week 5 ranks and they're not PPR ranks. And this song is not a rebel song.

My actual Week 5 ranks need to be finished, so I'll shift my focus back to them for now. You're invited to peruse the ROS running back ranks after the jump. If you have respectful disagreement, I welcome your tweets. Ship them to @scott_pianowski, and include the hashtag #shuffleup. Win the debate, win the rank.

I'll add running back commentary shortly, tweak a rank or two, and fill in the tight end ranks and comments later

Dennis Pitta - Pitta saw targets dip in Week 4

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta was on the field for 57 plays in the Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, but he was targeted just twice, and he had zero receptions. TE Ed Dickson was also active, and he saw 40 plays, but he too had no receptions.
Huddle Up: Consider Week 4 to be exception and not the rule. Pitta was targeted 31 times and had 18 receptions for 188 yards and 2 TDs over the first 3 games, and last week the Ravens obviously targeted the Browns' CBs with four WRs combining for 18 catches, 284 yards and a TD in a 23-16 win. Expect the pendulum to swing back the other way at any time.

Ravens | TEs saw decreased workload in last win

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta was on the field for 57 plays in the Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, but he was targeted just twice, and he had zero receptions. TE Ed Dickson was also active, and he saw 40 plays, but he too had no receptions.

Ravens | Dennis Pitta being used mostly in the slot

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta was targeted a team-high 15 times in the team's Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but QB Joe Flacco didn't look his way any of the 15 times Pitta was lined up as a traditional tight end. Flacco threw his way three of the four times Pitta lined up as a receiver or in the slot, but Pitta was usually lined up in the slot of the 51 offensive snaps he was on the field. He was targeted eight times of the 16 plays he was in the slot. TE Ed Dickson played 40 of the team's 70 offensive snaps in Week 2, and he was usually in the traditional tight end spot. Dickson is the better blocker of the two, and he was blocking on just over half of the plays in the game. Dickson was targeted only four times and had one

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta lining up as a wide receiver

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

Matt Vensel, a blogger with the Baltimore Sun, broke down Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta's usage and play count across the field last week. First and foremost, Pitta saw 15 targets and played 51 offensive snaps. On those plays, quot;he lined up as a wide receiver or slot receiver more than two-thirds of the time." Vensel also notes that when lined up as an in-line blocker, like a traditional tight end, he was often run-blocking and saw no targets. FANTASY ANALYSIS: An interesting analysis here and this is the sort of information that fantasy nuts should be thirsting for. Usage, snap count, where a guy lines up, how many targets he sees from each spot and so on. As long as the Ravens keep lining up Pitta out-wide, there's no

Ed Dickson - Dennis Pitta moved to top TE on depth chart

Source: The Huddle

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta is the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart over TE Ed Dickson Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Huddle Up: File this under "duh." Pitta has been a consistent performer for Joe Flacco and the Ravens thus far, making him a great waiver wire pickup if you need a tight end. At this rate he will wind up in the top 10 for the season. It is good to know the Ravens have moved him to the top of the depth chart so there are no questions regarding Ed Dickson.

Ravens | Dennis Pitta moved to top tight end on depth chart

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta is the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart over TE Ed Dickson Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Sunday Scene, Week 2: That’s more like it, Trent Richardson

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

Trent Richardson had a rough NFL debut against Philadelphia last Sunday (19 carries, 39 yards), prompting many of us to question what his fantasy ceiling could possibly be in Cleveland. Richardson was without question the premier back in the 2012 draft class, but he's now tied to a not-so-star-studded offense and a sketchy rookie quarterback (Brandon Weeden). It's not the best possible fantasy setup.

Richardson faced Cincinnati on Sunday, and the Bengals didn't seem unusually concerned with him. These were a few of linebacker Rey Maualuga's mid-week comments:

"[Richardson] can run you

Bengals | Taylor Mays fined for Week 1 hit

Source: Footballguys.com

Cincinnati Bengals SS Taylor Mays was fined $21,000 by the NFL Friday, Sept. 14, for his hit on Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson in the Week 1 game Monday, Sept. 10.

Target Practice, Week 1: Just like old times for Reggie Wayne

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

OK, so maybe it wasn't exactly like the old days for Reggie Wayne in the Colts' opener, because Indy didn't win and he didn't find the end zone. The pass pictured above was deflected, then intercepted. The Andrew Luck era began with lots of passing yards (309), too many turnovers (4), and a 20-point loss.

But in terms of individual workload, Wayne has nothing to complain about, nor do his fantasy owners. He saw 18 targets in Week 1, tied for the most in the NFL. (Darren McFadden saw 18 on Monday night, catching 13). Reggie caught nine balls for 135 yards, and he was targeted four times in the red zone. Indianapolis has the look of a team that will be involved in shootouts all season, so don't be

Week 2 TE Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Kim Klement / US PRESSWIRE

Perhaps the Patriots were telling us what they thought of their 2012 personnel when they gave Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski new contracts and failed to give Wes Welker a new deal. If Welker is one the decline we will see Hernandez reap the benefits in the short to intermediate passing game.

Then again, it’s not like the Patriots allowed Welker to walk away for nothing as they gave him the franchise tag and are paying him good money, this year.

Still, for anyone who may have had doubts about the Patriots keeping two tight ends productive, we can squash those worries at this time. Hernandez will be a force in New England’s offense and the matchup problems

Ravens | Top two TEs not sure about Week 1 status

Source: Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens TEs Dennis Pitta (hand) and Ed Dickson (shoulder) each said they are not sure if they will be able to play Week 1 because of their injuries.

2012 NFL Week 1 Fantasy Projections: Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady Top List

Source: Bleacher Report NFL

Using the WhatIfSports.com NFL simulation engine, the individual fantasy players and defensive teams are ranked based entirely on projected fantasy points using the FOXSports.com Fantasy Football default scoring where:

QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs: TDs are 6 points.

QBs: 25 passing yards is 1 point.

QBs: Interceptions are -2 points.

RBs: 10 rushing yards is 1 point.

QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs: Fumbles lost are -2 points.

WRs, TE and RBs: 10 yards

Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 20 Tight Ends for Week 1 (Non-PPR)

Source: Bleacher Report NFL

Here are my top 20 tight ends for Week 1 (standard-scoring leagues).

To clarify, this countdown doesn't lean on a particular stat. It's merely an educated best guess of which rushers will tally the best combination of total yards and touchdowns for the NFL's opening weekend.

Note: These rankings shall remain fluid through Sunday morning.

One last thing: I'm not expecting Jason Witten (spleen laceration) to play on Wednesday night. And even if he does, the odds of anything eclipsing 50 receiving yards are long. 

 

Top 20 Tight Ends For Week 1

1. Rob