Week 6 at New York Giants
Dennis Pitta had seven catches for 58 yards last week against Washington, but it was fellow TE Crockett Gillmore who found the end zone. While concerning, it’s worth noting that pitta remains on the field for 71% of the team’s offensive snaps and the move to a 2TE set hasn’t hurt the number of targets Pitta gets. He still ranks third on the team with 37 on the season.
This week, he’ll face a Giants defense that has only allowed six touchdown passes this year, and only one to a TE. However, Pitta should benefit from the absence of the injured Steve Smith Sr., likely seeing an increase in short passes coming his way, and he’s a nice streaming option this week.
Week 5 vs. Washington
Dennis Pitta had just three catches for 17 yards against the Raiders last week, but he’s second on the team with 7.3 targets per game this season. He continues to be a solid TE option for fantasy owners looking for a steady producer at the position.
This week, Pitta faces a Washington defense that has allowed 281 passing yards per game to opposing teams so far this year. The Redskins have yet to allowed a touchdown to a TE, but Pitta should get enough targets and looks from QB Joe Flacco to put up borderline TE1 numbers again. He’s a quality option again this week with a high floor.
Week 4 vs. Oakland
Dennis Pitta is second on the team with 24 targets, and he appears healthy and back in his starting role, playing 71% of the team’s snaps compared to only 46% for Crockett Gillmore. Pitta had only 42 yards against the Jaguars last week, but he caught six passes and his volume of targets should make him a quality borderline TE1 throughout the season, as long as he stays off the injury report.
This week, Pitta has upside against the Oakland defense. The Raiders have allowed the most passing yards to opposing offense so far this season, including the ninth most fantasy points to the TE position specifically. Expect good things from Pitta who should be a solid starter this week.
Week 3 at Jacksonville
Dennis Pitta had 39 yards on three receptions against the Bills in Week 1, but then caught nine of 12 passes thrown his way last week against the Browns for 102 yards. Pitta looks healthy and he’s established himself as the best player at the position for the Ravens. QB Joe Flacco looks happy to have him back, and in the past, he’s been good for fairly consistent borderline TE1 numbers when healthy.
This week, he’ll face a Jaguars team that gave up a touchdown to Antonio Gates last week. Expect Pitta to continue to be targeted often in the Baltimore passing game and for borderline TE1 numbers again this week. We have him inside our top-10 rankings and he should be picked up off waivers and used in all league formats that separate the TE spot.
Week 2 vs. Cleveland
Dennis Pitta returned against the Bills after missing nearly two years with different injuries. He had only 39 yards on three catches, but he was targeted four times in the game and most importantly was the field for 82 percent of the snaps. Compared to 44 percent for Crockett Gillmore, it’s a good sign for fantasy owners looking to take a chance on Pitta.
The Philadelphia TEs combined for seven catches and 69 yards against the Browns last week, and they made rookie Carson Wentz look like a veteran. Only the Saints and Eagles gave up more touchdown passes to opposing teams a year ago. While we don’t suggest starting any Baltimore TEs right now, if you’re looking for a deep sleeper and streaming option, you could do worse than gamble on Pitta.
Week 3 – Dennis Pitta vs. Cleveland
Dennis Pitta was covered heavily against Pittsburgh last week and ended up with only three catches and 30 yards, as fellow tight end Owen Daniels benefitted from the attention Pitta got and scored a pair of touchdowns.
I wouldn’t panic on Pitta, he’s still the main guy in Baltimore and the extra attention he was given didn’t work out too well for the Steelers. Against the Browns this week, Pitta should still be a primary option in the passing game, and we have him as a borderline starter, ranked 12th on our board.
Week 2 – Dennis Pitta vs. Pittsburgh
Dennis Pitta was an effective safety blanket for the Ravens against Cincinnati last week, catching 10 passes for 83 yards. With the attention given to the outside receivers, Pitta gobbled up catches and was targeted 15 times as the Ravens played catch up all game.
This week, Pitta will face a Pittsburgh defense that almost blew a big lead against the Browns in Week 1, and allowed big catches to both tight ends Jordan Cameron and Jim Dray in the passing game. Cleveland’s three tight ends combined for five receptions and 90 yards last week. The Ravens will likely lean on Pitta again, and he’s a solid starting option in all fantasy leagues. He will always rank behind the big three guys at the position, but if Pitta is your main guy, you’re not in bad shape.
Week 1 – Dennis Pitta vs. Cincinnati
The Ravens are counting on Dennis Pitta to become a reliable safety valve for quarterback Joe Flacco after missing nearly all of last season with a hip injury. He was limited last year to four games and 169 yards and a touchdown on 20 receptions.
Expect Pitta to keep building off his 2012 season this year, when he caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. Pitta will have a rough matchup to start the season though. He faces a Bengals defense that ranked fifth in the league last year against the pass. Generally, Pitta is expected to be a solid week-to-week starter but at 11th in our rankings this week, he’s a fringe starter in most leagues.
Dennis Pitta unfortunately broke his hip before last season and ended up missing the first 12 games, so he finished with only 20 catches, 169 yards and a touchdown. However, he’s healthy now and he had 669 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012, plus he had another 163 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs that same year. The Ravens were hoping Pitta could become a huge part of an offense that needed reliable receiving targets last season, and they’re hoping for the same in 2014.
Fantasy Upside
Prior to his injury last season, Pitta had an upward trajectory to his career, setting career marks in all major statistical categories in 2012, and emerging as the primary starting tight end in the Ravens offense. This season, he should benefit from the addition of former Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak taking over the reigns as Baltimore’s Offensive Coordinator and bringing his historically tight end friendly system with him. Baltimore’s offense struggled last year, and Pitta has an excellent chance to be the reason the Ravens get back on track in 2014.
Fantasy Downside
The Ravens offense will be adjusting to a new scheme, Pitta is coming off that hip injury and what was essentially a lost season, and as a BYU graduate, Pitta is already 29 years old entering just his fifth season. Also, for all the ability he’s flashed, he’s still only had one pretty good season at the NFL level and he has a quarterback who has been an inconsistent fantasy producer. The addition of Owen Daniels could also be problematic, as he knows the system from his time in Houston.
Bottom Line
Pitta is a high upside fantasy option at the tight end position with the potential to be one of the leaders of that second tier of tight ends after the big three of Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, and Julius Thomas. With the Ravens offense set to improve, Flacco coming off a season where he can only get better, and Pitta’s main challenger, Owen Daniels, past his prime, the stage is set for Pitta to deliver. Our rankings view him as a top ten option, and amidst the likes of Jordan Reed, Kyle Rudolph, and Zach Ertz, Pitta may actually be one of the more reliable upside options there. If you miss on one of the big guys, grabbing Pitta in rounds 8-10 is good value.
