Dallas Clark

With Dennis Pitta out for the season and Ed Dickson recovering from a slightly torn hamstring, Clark gives the Ravens an experienced pass-catching TE option who has worked with offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell before, while the two were both with the Colts. While Clark's days as an elite fantasy tight end may be over, the 34-year-old was able to catch 47 passes for 435 yards and four TDs with the Buccaneers in 2012. Assuming he develops a rapport with QB Joe Flacco in short order, Clark could be a serviceable tight end option in deeper formats out of the gate.

Clark signed with the Buccaneers in May after the team made room for him by trading incumbent Kellen Winslow to the Seahawks. Clark’s 1,106-yard season in 2009 is but a distant memory, though, as he’s played only 17 games the last two seasons combined. Clark missed time last season due to a broken leg and a neck injury, but is reportedly healthy heading into camp. Clark is a strong route runner and normally has reliable hands (though he dropped nine passes in 11 games last year), but it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank at age 33. He’ll also have to adjust to quarterback Josh Freeman, a significant upgrade over the Colts quarterbacks last year, but obviously no Peyton Manning.

Coming off a career year, Clark was cut down in Week 6 with a season-ending wrist injury. An excellent route runner, Clark’s reliable hands have made him a favorite target of Peyton Manning’s. While he lacks the vertical speed found with other elite tight ends, Clark makes quick cuts to give his quarterback the small window he needs to deliver the ball. Clark had 37 receptions in his six games before the injury hit, putting him on a 98-catch pace, nearly equal to his 100-reception 2009. While the receptions were still plentiful, his yards per catch dropped from 11.1 to 9.4. He scored three touchdowns before the injury, as he continued to be used effectively in the red zone. Before last season, Clark averaged nine touchdowns on 19.3 red zone targets the previous three seasons. His wrist is expected to be healthy this season, and he'll again be one of Manning's top targets.

Clark posted a career year for the Colts last season, catching 100 passes for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. He took advantage of a season-ending injury to receiver Anthony Gonzalez to become the main target in the slot and Peyton Manning’s No. 2 receiver after Reggie Wayne. A sharp route-runner with great hands, Clark showed the ability to get separation down field and caught three passes of more than 40 yards. He finished second among tight ends in fantasy points with 170.6 and caught a lofty 76 percent of the passes thrown his way. The high percentage of passes caught led to a four-year high in yards per target (8.4). The 10 touchdowns were especially impressive since he was only targeted in the red zone 14 times after 20-plus red-zone targets the previous two seasons.

Clark likely won’t duplicate his triple-digit receptions and 1,000 yards this season. Gonzalez is expected to return healthy, and the emergence of wideouts Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon could impact Clark as well. Defenses also figure to give him more attention this season. That said, Clark will still be a valuable fantasy option with Manning as his quarterback, especially if the red-zone looks return to their previous high level. And even a slight regression in receptions and yards will still leave him as one of the top fantasy tight ends.

Clark set a career-high with 848 receiving yards, but caught only six touchdown passes (five less than the previous season). He continued to benefit from Peyton Manning play-action theatrics, getting 21 targets in the red zone and four goal-line scores, (both second to Tony Gonzalez). This came after a 2007 season of 23 red-zone targets and 11 touchdowns, so there’s little doubt Clark will continue to be a favorite target from in close. Clark caught 72 percent of Manning’s passes, second in the league among tight ends with 40 or more catches. He holds more value in scoring leagues, totaling 21 touchdowns over the last three years (2nd for tight ends). With Marvin Harrison gone, Manning will look even more frequently in Clark’s direction, especially because the team lacks an established third wideout. Moreover, the emergence of Anthony Gonzalez along with Reggie Wayne’s consistent play will help keep the middle of the field open for Clark.

Clark's potential was always great because he played for a prolific offense, but it never translated into him being a top threat at the position because he was a distant No. 3 on Peyton Manning's target list. That changed in 2007, when Marvin Harrison missed most of the year with a knee injury. Clark gained a career-high 616 yards and led all tight ends with 11 touchdown passes, thanks to a league-leading 25 targets in the red zone (tied with Antonio Gates), 14 targets inside the 10 (1st) and eight targets inside the five (1st). If Harrison comes back healthy and productive, Clark's receptions and yards will drop, but he's still a credible red-zone threat. After signing a six-year deal, Clark will be very much a part of the team's offense against in 2008. Just keep in mind that Clark's missed 13 games in his five-year career and has never played a full 16 games.

Indianapolis. The Colts throw a lot (557 Passing attempts, 6th in NFL) and their tight ends benefit from the aerial attack (4th in TE receptions, 6th in TE receiving yards). Clark tied for sixth among tight ends with 15 red-zone targets despite missing four weeks with a knee injury. Clark can play away from the line, though the addition of first-round pick WR Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio State) means Clark will be utilized as a more traditional tight end, and perhaps result in less yards. Despite that, the Colts targeted the position 22 times in the red zone last season (4th in NFL), and a healthy Clark will get his share of looks in 2007.

Clark had his best season as a pro in 2005, catching 37 passes for 488 yards (32.5 YPG) and four touchdowns. He had one game with more than 100 yards and was in the upper tier at his position with 13.2 yards per catch. The loss of Edgerrin James – fifth on the Colts in targets last year – will create more opportunities for Clark, but RBs Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai have pass-catching ability too, and this is still an offense that looks to its wideouts first.

Clark’s value rises with the subtraction of Marcus Pollard, who was released by the Colts in the offseason. With that move, Clark becomes the team’s main pass-catching tight end and that should result in a bigger piece of the pie in one of the league’s most prolific offenses. Clark caught just 25 passes for 423 yards last season, but combined with Pollard for 54 total catches and 738 yards (13 receptions inside the 20). And Peyton Manning wasn’t afraid to throw downfield to Clark, who averaged 16.9 yards per catch, leading the team in that category.

Clark’s emergence as a rookie before breaking his fibula in late November will get him plenty of opportunities again this season. Although Marcus Pollard is still considered the starter, the Colts like to use two-TE sets, so Clark should be a factor in the Indy offense. It’s worth noting that tight ends caught only four touchdowns for Indianapolis in 2003 after averaging eight in the previous two seasons.

The Colts' first-round pick will get his share of touches in the Colts' preferred two tight end alignment. Though Marcus Pollard is the better fantasy bet in the short term, Clark has nice long-term upside and will have modest value right off the bat.