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Maybe the Panthers don't have any true No. 1 receivers on the team, but that doesn't mean they're going to stop adding tight ends to their offense in the offseason.
The team said Thursday that it had signed former Ravens tight end Ed Dickson to a one-year deal, and according to the Charlotte Observer, it's for the veteran minimum of $795,000 with a $65,000 signing bonus.
It’s official…@EdDickson84 is a Panther! RT to welcome him to the team! #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/NEvrxAzYXq
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 10, 2014
Said coach Ron Rivera: "Ed is a young player who has shown he is a capable blocker as well as receiver in the league. He provides experienced depth at the tight end position, and we look forward to having him in the mix."
Already, the Panthers have a starting tight end in Greg Olsen -- who recorded 73 receptions, 816 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2013 -- and Carolina hasn't been shy about adding pieces around him. As the team writes, "Dickson joins Mike McNeill as free agent tight ends acquired by Carolina this offseason. The team also signed tight end/fullback Richie Brockel to a contract extension and re-signed practice squad tight end D.C. Jefferson."
Now, you can include Dickson -- the No. 153 free agent on the CBSSports.com list who has spent his entire four-year career with the Ravens and caught 25 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown in 2013.
And though the Panthers might want to use Dickson along with Olsen in two-tight end sets, Dickson has been relatively underwhelming for much of his career. Which probably means Carolina still will want to find somebody who can be a top target for quarterback Cam Newton.