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Ed Dickson
Ed Dickson
from Wikipedia

Edward James Dickson (born July 25, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Dickson played football at Bellflower High School and played on both offense and defense, playing tight end and defensive end. Dickson led his team in receiving yards and quarterback sacks during his senior season, and by his performance he was named Southeast-South Coast Lineman of the-Year by the Los Angeles Times.[1] Dickson's high school awards include Best in the West Honorable Mention tight end/linebacker by the Long Beach Press-Telegram, First-team All-Suburban League and First-team All-league pick (offense and defense).[2]

College career

[edit]

Dickson enrolled at the University of Oregon and was redshirted his freshman year. He spent time with the defensive ends, but ended up as the tight end in the team's depth chart behind Dante Rosario. He played 13 games as a defensive lineman in 2006.[3]

In 2009, Dickson was selected to the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, given out to the nation's best tight end.[4] On September 27, 2009, Dickson was named the national player of the week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He earned the honors after catching 11 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns in an upset of the #6 California Golden Bears.

Dickson earned his degree from Oregon in Family and Human Services.[5]

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • Pac-10 offensive player of the week for the week of September 26, 2009[6]
  • 2008 Second-team All-Pac-10
  • 2008 3rd-Team Pacific-10 All-Conference (Phil Steele)

Professional career

[edit]

Pre-draft

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 4+14 in
(1.94 m)
249 lb
(113 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.61 s 1.60 s 2.64 s 4.59 s 7.32 s 34 in
(0.86 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
25 reps 10[7]
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[8][9]

Dickson was regarded as one of the best tight ends available in the 2010 NFL draft.[10]

Dickson blocks 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith in Super Bowl XLVII

Baltimore Ravens

[edit]

Dickson was selected in the third round (70th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens.[11][12] The pick was one of three that the Ravens acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos on the first night of the draft on April 22. The Broncos received a first-round pick which was used to select Tim Tebow.[13] Dickson signed a three-year contract on July 2, 2010.

As a backup to veteran Todd Heap, Dickson recorded 11 receptions, 153 yards, and one touchdown. However, the following year marked big changes for Dickson. Heap was released, and Dickson found himself in a battle with Dennis Pitta for the starting job. Also, Dickson switched from #83 to #84 after Lee Evans became a Raven. Dickson was the main starter in 2011, and caught five touchdowns.

During the Ravens Super Bowl championship season in 2012, Dickson saw his role in the passing game decrease in favor of Pitta, though he often found himself on blocking duty.

During the 2013 season, however, Dickson was the starter for most of the season as Pitta suffered a hip fracture injury before the season began.

Carolina Panthers

[edit]

On April 10, 2014, Dickson signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.[14]

Dickson signed a three-year, $6.8 million contract extension on March 11, 2015.[15] During the 2015 season, the Panthers won 15 games, which set a team record for victories.

On February 7, 2016, Dickson was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[16]

On October 8, 2017, Dickson posted an impressive performance with 175 receiving yards as the Panthers won 27–24 over the Detroit Lions.

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

On March 16, 2018, Dickson signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth up to $14 million, with the first year fully guaranteed.[17] He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on September 1, 2018.[18] He was activated to the active roster on October 27, 2018.[19]

On September 2, 2019, Dickson was placed on injured reserve.[20] He was designated for return from injured reserve on October 30, 2019, and began practicing with the team again.[21] He was activated on November 20, 2019.[22] However, he was placed back on injured reserve two days later.[23]

On March 31, 2020, Dickson was released by the Seahawks.[24] He officially announced his retirement as an active player on November 17, 2022.[25]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2010 BAL 15 3 23 11 152 13.8 58 1
2011 BAL 16 16 89 54 528 9.8 25 5
2012 BAL 13 11 33 21 225 10.7 40 0
2013 BAL 16 14 43 25 273 10.9 43 1
2014 CAR 16 10 17 10 115 11.5 34 1
2015 CAR 16 11 26 17 121 7.1 17 2
2016 CAR 16 8 19 10 134 13.4 28 1
2017 CAR 16 12 48 30 437 14.6 64 1
2018 SEA 10 1 13 12 143 11.9 42 3
134 86 311 190 2,128 11.2 64 15

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2010 BAL 2 1 1 1 2 2.0 2 0
2011 BAL 2 1 8 3 37 12.3 16 0
2012 BAL 4 3 8 6 90 15.0 24 0
2014 CAR 2 2 7 3 67 22.3 34 0
2015 CAR 3 2 4 2 22 11.0 16 0
2017 CAR 1 1 2 1 3 3.0 3 0
2018 SEA 1 0 5 4 42 10.5 26 0
15 10 35 20 263 13.2 34 0

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Edward James Dickson (born July 25, 1987) is a former who played professionally in the (NFL) from 2010 to 2018. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 250 pounds, Dickson was known for his role as a reliable receiving during his nine-season career. Dickson attended the , where he played as a for the Ducks from 2006 to 2009, earning First-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009. He was selected by the in the third round (70th overall) of the , a pick that had been acquired through multiple trades prior to the draft. Originally from , where he played , Dickson grew up on the West Coast and developed his skills as a pass-catching . Over his NFL tenure, Dickson appeared in 134 games, recording 190 receptions for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns. He spent his first four seasons with the Ravens (2010–2013), contributing to their victory in 2013 with two catches for 37 yards in the championship game, and posting a career-high 54 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. Dickson later played for the (2014–2017), where he reached in 2016, and concluded his career with the in 2018 before a knee injury sidelined him. Married with four children, he announced his retirement as a Raven in November 2022 at age 35, transitioning to focus on family and a in .

Early life

Family and upbringing

Ed Dickson was born on July 25, 1987, in . He grew up in Norwalk, a suburb near , living with his mother, Rena Dickson, his grandmother, and his two sisters in a predominantly community that influenced his early cultural environment. As a teenager, Dickson relocated to , to reside with his aunt, Melinda Wilson, and his cousin Jordan, seeking access to a stronger . This move supported his athletic development in the diverse area, where community resources fostered his initial involvement in sports like alongside football. By high school, these experiences helped shape his multi-sport foundation, leading to a primary focus on football.

High school career

Ed Dickson attended Bellflower High School in , where he emerged as a standout in football. As a four-year starter at and , Dickson's performance progressed notably through his high school career. In his junior year, he recorded 19 receptions for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns on offense, while contributing 68 tackles, 12 sacks, and 12 passes knocked down on defense. His senior year saw further improvement, with 28 catches for over 400 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, alongside 54 tackles (28 unassisted), 10 sacks, and punting duties averaging 45.4 yards on 11 attempts. These efforts earned him recognition as a two-way first-team all-league selection in the Suburban League and Southeast/South Coast Lineman of the Year by the . Dickson also excelled in basketball, starting on the varsity team and earning second-team All-CIF Southern Section honors as a senior in the 2004-05 season. Rated as a three-star recruit by , Dickson received offers from multiple Pac-10 programs, including USC, before committing to the in February 2005.

College career

University of Oregon

Ed Dickson enrolled at the University of Oregon in 2005 and redshirted his freshman season before seeing his first game action as a redshirt freshman tight end in 2006. That year, he appeared in limited snaps across 13 games, managing just 4 receptions for 45 yards with no touchdowns. In 2007, as a sophomore, Dickson transitioned into a more prominent starting role within the Ducks' up-tempo offense, playing in all 13 games and starting 10. He recorded 43 receptions for 453 yards and 3 touchdowns, including 70 receiving yards on three catches against Washington State that highlighted his big-play potential downfield. His contributions helped Oregon reach the Sun Bowl, where the Ducks defeated South Florida 56-21. Dickson's junior season in marked his emergence as a core component of Chip Kelly's , which emphasized speed and spacing to create mismatches for pass-catchers like him. Starting all 13 games, he tallied 35 receptions for 508 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 14.5 yards per catch—second-best in the Pac-10 among tight ends. Notable performances included 7 catches for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns against Boise State, underscoring his red-zone reliability. Oregon capped the year with a 42-38 victory over Oklahoma State. As a senior in 2009, with promoted to head coach, Dickson solidified his status as ' primary target, starting all 13 games in an offense that ranked among the nation's most explosive. He finished with 42 receptions for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns, leading the team in scoring catches and peaking with 11 receptions for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 42-3 rout of . Oregon earned a spot in the Rose Bowl as Pac-10 champions but lost 26-17 to Ohio State. Over four seasons, Dickson played in 52 games for , starting the final 39, and compiled 124 receptions for 1,557 yards and 12 touchdowns—records for tight ends at upon his graduation. His development from a reserve to a matchup nightmare exemplified the versatility demanded in Kelly's scheme, where he blocked on the perimeter while stretching defenses vertically.
YearGames StartedReceptionsYardsYards/CatchTouchdowns
2006044511.30
2007104345310.53
2008133550814.53
2009134255113.16
Career391241,55712.612

Awards and honors

During his junior season in 2008, Dickson earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors as a , recognizing his contributions to Oregon's high-powered offense. In his senior year of , he received first-team All-Pac-10 recognition from the conference coaches and multiple outlets, including , after leading the Ducks in receptions. In , following his 11-reception, three-touchdown performance against , Dickson was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week, Offensive Player of the Week, and Player of the Week. On the national stage, Dickson was named a semifinalist for the 2009 , which honors the nation's top , as one of eight candidates selected by the award's committee. He also garnered honorable mention All-American honors from following his standout senior campaign. Dickson earned varsity letters in each of his four seasons at from 2006 to 2009, establishing himself as a consistent contributor to ' program. These accolades, particularly his senior-year production of 42 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns, elevated his profile among scouts and contributed to his selection in the third round (70th overall) of the by the .

Professional career

2010 NFL Draft

Dickson entered the as one of the top receiving tight ends, having set records with 124 career receptions for 1,557 yards and 12 touchdowns, which elevated his draft grade. He participated in the Senior Bowl, where he showcased crisp route-running, good speed, and reliable hands during practices, impressing scouts. At the , Dickson clocked a time of 4.67 seconds, ranking third among tight ends, and completed 23 repetitions, tying for fifth at his position. Scouting reports praised Dickson's athleticism, quickness in space, and red-zone prowess as a mismatch for linebackers and safeties, while noting his solid effort in blocking despite lacking elite power. Analysts compared him to for his frame (6-foot-4, 249 pounds) and ability to exploit speed advantages over defenders. Projected as a mid-round selection due to his receiving skills offset by questions about blocking from a background, Dickson was chosen by the with the 70th overall pick in the third round. Following the draft, Dickson signed a four-year, $2.435 million contract with , including a $585,000 and $585,000 in guarantees. In the offseason, he concentrated on adapting to the Ravens' , which demanded more inline blocking and complex route concepts than Oregon's spread system, including intensive playbook study and technique refinement to compete for playing time behind veteran .

Baltimore Ravens

Ed Dickson was selected by the in the third round (70th overall) of the out of the , where he was expected to provide depth at behind veteran . As a in 2010, Dickson appeared in 15 games, starting three, and contributed primarily on special teams while serving as a . He recorded 11 receptions for 152 yards and one , including a 34-yard against the in Week 15. His limited offensive role reflected the Ravens' established tight end hierarchy, but he showed promise in blocking and pass-catching during his debut season. In 2011, following Heap's departure to the , Dickson emerged as the starting alongside , forming a dynamic duo in Baltimore's offense. He started all 16 games and achieved a breakout performance with 54 receptions for 528 yards and a team-leading five s among tight ends, highlighting his red-zone reliability and ability to stretch the field. Notable scores included a 15-yard against the and an 18-yard strike versus the , contributing to the Ravens' 12-4 regular season record. His development into a reliable target for underscored his growth from rookie contributor to offensive staple. Dickson's role diminished in 2012 due to Pitta's emergence as the primary receiving , limiting him to 13 games with 11 starts and 21 receptions for 225 yards but no touchdowns. Despite the reduced production, he remained a key blocker in ' run-heavy scheme and provided depth during their playoff push. As part of the 2012 Ravens squad, Dickson contributed to their victory over the , appearing in the 34-31 win where he helped protect Flacco in the passing game during crucial drives. His postseason involvement included limited receptions but solid special teams play across four games, aiding Baltimore's first championship since 2000. The 2013 season saw Dickson regain the starting role after suffered a season-ending hip injury in , though Dickson himself dealt with a tear during preseason that sidelined him briefly. He played in all 16 games, starting 14, and posted 25 receptions for 273 yards and one —a 1-yard score against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. His performance provided stability to the position amid injuries, with key contributions in blocking for and as a for Flacco, though his yards per catch averaged 10.9, reflecting a more possession-oriented role. Over his four seasons with from 2010 to 2013, Dickson appeared in 60 games, starting 44, and amassed 111 receptions for 1,178 yards and seven touchdowns. His tenure highlighted versatility as both a receiver and blocker, particularly in red-zone situations where he scored six of his touchdowns, and his contributions were integral to Baltimore's consistent playoff appearances, including the triumph.

Carolina Panthers

Ed Dickson signed a one-year contract with the on April 10, 2014, providing depth behind starting Greg Olsen. In his debut season, Dickson appeared in all 16 games, starting 10, and recorded 10 receptions for 115 yards and 1 , contributing primarily as a blocker in the Panthers' run-oriented offense. Dickson re-signed with the Panthers on a three-year extension worth $6.8 million, including a $2 million , on March 10, . During the regular season, he played all 16 games with 11 starts, catching 17 passes for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns, while helping anchor the offensive line as the team achieved a franchise-record 15-1 mark and advanced to the . The Panthers reached that year but lost 24-10 to the , with Dickson appearing in the game but not recording a reception. His prior Super Bowl experience with from 2012 informed his preparation for Carolina's postseason run. In 2016, Dickson started 8 of 16 games, registering 10 receptions for 134 yards and 1 , continuing to emphasize blocking duties in Ron Rivera's scheme. The following year, with Olsen sidelined for nine games due to a foot injury, Dickson assumed a starting role for 12 games, finishing with 30 catches for 437 yards and 1 —his most productive season in Carolina—while demonstrating improved blocking that supported the team's 11-5 record and wild-card playoff berth. Rivera's emphasis on run blocking elevated Dickson's overall contributions, transitioning him from a secondary option to a key component in the offense. Over four seasons with the Panthers from 2014 to 2017, Dickson appeared in 64 regular-season games, accumulating 67 receptions for 807 yards and 5 touchdowns, evolving into a reliable primary when needed and a consistent blocker in Rivera's system.

Seattle Seahawks

On March 16, 2018, the signed Ed Dickson to a three-year contract worth $10.7 million, including $3.6 million in guarantees, positioning him as a replacement for departing veteran . The deal aimed to bolster the Seahawks' group with a reliable blocker and receiver experienced in high-stakes environments, drawing from Dickson's prior appearances in with the Ravens and with the Panthers. Dickson began the 2018 season on the non-football injury list due to a strain sustained during offseason , missing the first six games. He returned in Week 7, appearing in 10 games and recording 12 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns, primarily serving as a rotational player behind starters and rookie . His touchdowns came against the , , and , providing red-zone efficiency in an offense adapting to new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's scheme under head coach . However, depth chart competition limited his snaps, as Dissly's emergence as a receiving threat reduced Dickson's opportunities. In 2019, Dickson's tenure was further hampered by knee injuries that required surgery in August, and he did not appear in any regular season games. He was placed on injured reserve, briefly activated in late November without playing, and returned to injured reserve shortly after, undergoing surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Over his two years with Seattle, Dickson totaled 12 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, struggling to adapt to the Seahawks' run-oriented system amid persistent injuries and a crowded tight end room featuring Dissly, Jacob Hollister, and Will Dissly. The Seahawks released Dickson on March 31, 2020, with a failed physical designation, freeing up approximately $3.5 million in space as he entered the final year of his contract. This move concluded his brief stint in , where injuries ultimately prevented him from establishing a consistent role.

Retirement

Ed Dickson officially announced his retirement from the on November 17, 2022, electing to retire ceremonially as a member of the , the team that selected him in the third round of the . The announcement occurred ahead of the ' matchup against the at , where Dickson reflected on his journey from a to a champion. Over his 10-year professional career, he appeared in 134 games, amassing 190 receptions for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dickson's decision stemmed from cumulative injuries, particularly chronic knee issues that limited his play during his final seasons with the , as well as a growing emphasis on family priorities following his release from the team in March 2020. He had not pursued tryouts with any other franchises in the intervening years, citing the toll of these ailments and his role as a father to four children. In his reflections, Dickson expressed a desire to "be a for life," underscoring Baltimore's foundational role in his professional development. During the announcement, Dickson conveyed deep gratitude to key figures in his career, including John Harbaugh, general manager Eric DeCosta, and former executives Steve Bisciotti and Ozzie Newsome, crediting them for setting the standard that shaped his success. He described the transition to life beyond football as a natural progression, allowing him to prioritize personal well-being after a decade defined by resilience and team contributions.

Career statistics

Regular season

Ed Dickson appeared in 134 regular season games over nine NFL seasons, recording 190 receptions for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns, with an average of 11.2 yards per catch. His career began as a third-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2010, where he served primarily as a backup tight end in his rookie year, catching 11 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown across 15 games with three starts. By 2011, Dickson transitioned to a starting role, achieving career highs with 54 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 16 starts, contributing significantly to the Ravens' passing attack led by quarterback Joe Flacco. However, his production fluctuated in subsequent years with Baltimore due to injuries and competition from Dennis Pitta, including a career-low zero touchdowns in 2012 despite 21 catches for 225 yards in 13 games. After signing with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in April 2014, Dickson's role shifted toward blocking support in a run-heavy offense, complementing star tight end Greg Olsen. In four seasons with Carolina, he amassed 67 receptions for 807 yards and five touchdowns over 64 games, with his receiving efficiency peaking at 14.6 yards per catch in 2017 (30 receptions for 437 yards), though he started only 41 of those games as a rotational player. Dickson's blocking prowess became a hallmark, particularly in protecting the quarterback and aiding the ground game; he was noted for his reliability in these unquantified aspects, often stepping up during Olsen's injuries without matching his pass-catching volume. Signing a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, he played 10 games, catching 12 passes for 143 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in limited starts, before a season-ending injury; his tenure emphasized zone-blocking schemes to bolster Seattle's rushing attack.
YearTeamGGSRecYdsY/RTD
2010BAL1531115213.81
2011BAL1616545289.85
2012BAL13112122510.70
2013BAL16142527310.91
201416101011511.51
20151611171217.12
20161681013413.41
201716123043714.61
20181011214311.93
Career134861902,12811.215

Postseason

Ed Dickson participated in 15 postseason games over his career, accumulating 20 receptions for 263 yards with no touchdowns. In the 2010 playoffs with the , Dickson appeared in two games, recording one reception for two yards. In the 2011 playoffs, he played two games with three receptions for 37 yards. In the 2012 playoffs, which culminated in a victory, Dickson appeared in four games and recorded six receptions for 90 yards. His contributions included one reception for 24 yards in the Wild Card win over the , three receptions for 29 yards in the Divisional Round victory against the , no receptions in the win versus the , and two receptions for 37 yards in against the . With the , Dickson participated in the 2014 (two games, three receptions for 67 yards), the 2015 en route to (three games, two receptions for 22 yards, with no receptions in the victory over the or in the loss to the ), and the 2017 (one game, one reception for three yards). In the 2018 with the , he played one game with four receptions for 42 yards. As a , Dickson frequently played a key blocking role in his teams' run-heavy playoff offenses, which often limited his receiving targets due to defensive matchups favoring coverage on tight ends.
YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsTDs
20102120
201123370
201246900
201423670
201532220
20171130
201814420
Career15202630

Personal life

Family

Ed Dickson is married to Ashley Dickson, whom he began dating during his college years at the . The couple's relationship faced early challenges due to the demands of his career, including Ashley giving birth to their first child, son Trey Michael James, on September 13, 2010, the same evening Dickson made his professional debut with the against the . By 2012, Ashley was actively involved in team-related community efforts, such as holiday shopping initiatives organized by players' wives to support local families. Dickson and his wife have six children, with fatherhood serving as a central pillar of his life and a key motivator for his decisions both during and after his playing career. Following his retirement in November 2022, Dickson emphasized prioritizing family time in , where the family resides, stating that he and Ashley aim to pass on the strong values of hard work and resilience instilled in him by his own parents during his upbringing in . In interviews, he has highlighted how the constant travel and physical toll of the strained family life, making post-retirement parenting his primary focus to create stability and actively guide his children's development.

Post-NFL activities

Following his retirement from the in 2022, Ed Dickson has focused on youth development through football skills camps. In 2023, he co-hosted a skills camp in Pulaski, New York, alongside former player Arthur Jones, aimed at providing training and mentorship to young athletes. Dickson has also engaged in media appearances to discuss his transition to life after professional sports and his involvement in community initiatives. For instance, he joined the "Orange Nation" radio show in July 2023 to highlight the upcoming Pulaski camp and share insights on post-career opportunities for former players. He and his wife launched a in . He is available for booking as a for corporate events, meet-and-greets, and virtual appearances, drawing on his experiences as a champion and veteran. As of 2025, Dickson resides in , Washington, where he maintains a family-oriented while continuing community-oriented efforts in athlete development.

References

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