Mark Andrews: The Ravens’ Unshakable TE1 in a New Era
The man just won’t quit
LAB REPORTS
One play can rewrite an entire narrative.
For Mark Andrews, it was a snowy January night in Buffalo.
With Baltimore’s season hanging in the balance during the AFC Divisional Round, Lamar Jackson looked to his most trusted target on a game-tying two-point conversion. Andrews—one of the surest-handed tight ends of his generation—couldn’t bring it in. He didn’t hide behind excuses, even after revealing that his gloves were soaked by the snow.
“I still should have made that play.”
That drop, coupled with a fourth-quarter fumble earlier in the game, became the defining image of Andrews’ 2025 season. It also fueled a wave of skepticism heading into 2026.
At 30 years old (31 in September), coming off career lows of 48 receptions, 422 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, many dynasty managers have begun treating Andrews as yesterday’s news. In today’s fantasy landscape, where youth is often valued over proven production, veteran tight ends can see their dynasty value decline almost overnight.
But is the fade actually justified?
The evidence suggests otherwise.
While Andrews may no longer be chasing another overall TE1 finish, he remains Baltimore’s clear No. 1 tight end, Lamar Jackson’s most trusted security blanket, and one of the safest bets at the position to outperform his current dynasty value.
A Proven Difference-Maker
Since entering the league in 2018, Andrews has quietly built one of the NFL’s most accomplished careers at tight end.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Baltimore’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, Andrews has consistently been one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets and one of fantasy football’s most reliable producers.
His breakout 2021 campaign remains one of the best seasons ever by a Ravens pass catcher:
- 107 receptions
- 1,361 receiving yards
- 9 touchdowns
Even after that career year, Andrews remained highly productive. In 2024, he finished with 55 receptions, 673 yards, and a team-leading 11 touchdowns despite sharing opportunities in a crowded tight end room.
His 2025 numbers represented a noticeable decline, but context matters.
Jackson missed time, Baltimore’s passing offense never found its usual rhythm, and Andrews’ role shifted as targets were spread across multiple tight ends. Despite the statistical dip, he still appeared in all 17 games and remained one of Jackson’s most trusted options on third down and in the red zone.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement came from the Ravens themselves.
Rather than preparing for life without Andrews, Baltimore signed him to a three-year, $39.3 million extension in December 2025, including significant guaranteed money. Teams don’t make that kind of investment in players they believe are nearing the end.
Why Are People Fading Andrews?
The concerns surrounding Andrews are understandable, but they deserve context.
The Playoff Drop
Fair or not, the missed two-point conversion against Buffalo has become attached to Andrews’ legacy.
It was an uncharacteristic mistake from one of the league’s most dependable pass catchers, and because it happened in the postseason, it has been magnified far beyond a single play.
One dropped pass shouldn’t erase years of elite production.
Age
Turning 31 naturally raises concerns.
Tight ends often begin losing dynasty value around this age, even when their real-life roles remain secure.
While Andrews may no longer possess quite the same burst after the catch that defined portions of his prime, he remains an outstanding route runner with exceptional instincts, reliable hands, and one of the NFL’s best feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage.
Those traits tend to age far better than pure athleticism.
The New Generation of Tight Ends
Fantasy football has entered a new era.
Young stars such as Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta, and Dalton Kincaid have shifted dynasty rankings toward youth and long-term upside.
Compared to those explosive playmakers, Andrews’ game can appear less flashy.
He’s not built around highlight-reel runs after the catch.
Instead, he wins with route precision, chemistry with his quarterback, physicality, and elite red-zone efficiency.
That style may not generate headlines, but it continues to produce fantasy points.
Baltimore’s Offseason Sent a Clear Message
Rumors surfaced that the Ravens might eventually move on from Andrews.
Instead, their offseason actions told an entirely different story.
Baltimore allowed Isaiah Likely to depart in free agency after he signed with the New York Giants. Charlie Kolar also left, joining the Los Angeles Chargers, while longtime fullback Patrick Ricard moved on as well.
Rather than aggressively pursuing a marquee replacement, the Ravens signed veteran Durham Smythe to provide blocking and depth before selecting Matt Hibner in the fourth round and Josh Cuevas in the fifth as developmental prospects.
None of those moves suggest a franchise preparing to replace its starting tight end.
If anything, they reinforce Andrews’ importance.
With Likely and Kolar gone, Baltimore also vacates meaningful opportunities—particularly in the red zone, where Andrews has built his reputation as one of the NFL’s premier touchdown scorers at the position.
Why 2026 Could Be a Bounce-Back Season
New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has emphasized versatility, physicality, and creating favorable matchups through personnel groupings.
That philosophy aligns perfectly with Andrews’ strengths.
Whether lined up in-line, flexed into the slot, or isolated against linebackers, Andrews remains one of Baltimore’s most difficult matchup problems.
Doyle has also publicly praised Andrews’ work ethic and commitment to improving every aspect of his game, including his blocking—an encouraging sign that he will continue playing a central role in the offense.
Most importantly, Lamar Jackson’s trust hasn’t changed.
Even during Andrews’ statistical decline, Jackson continued looking his way in critical situations. Quarterbacks rarely abandon players they trust most when games are on the line.
That chemistry cannot be manufactured.
2026 Outlook
Expecting another 1,300-yard season isn’t realistic.
Expecting a meaningful rebound absolutely is.
A healthy Jackson, a more stable offensive environment, and fewer established tight ends competing for targets all point toward increased efficiency and more scoring opportunities.
A realistic projection falls in the neighborhood of:
- 55-65 receptions
- 580-650 receiving yards
- 6-8 touchdowns
That stat line doesn’t require Andrews to rediscover his 2021 form.
It simply assumes modest positive regression, continued chemistry with Jackson, and a larger share of the high-value opportunities created by Baltimore’s offseason departures.
That profile comfortably places him in the low-end TE1 conversation with legitimate upside to finish higher if his touchdown production spikes.
Final Thoughts
Dynasty football often becomes obsessed with what’s next while overlooking players who continue producing at a high level.
Mark Andrews may no longer be the consensus dynasty TE1, but everything Baltimore has done this offseason suggests the organization still views him as a cornerstone of its passing attack.
The contract extension, the departures of fellow tight ends, the coaching staff’s confidence, and Lamar Jackson’s unwavering trust all point in the same direction.
Andrews isn’t the explosive young breakout candidate anymore.
He’s something many fantasy managers underestimate: a proven veteran with an elite quarterback, a secure role, and one of the highest touchdown ceilings among NFL tight ends.
The playoff drop will always be remembered.
It just shouldn’t define the rest of his career.
The dynasty market may be fading Mark Andrews, but the Ravens clearly aren’t—and neither should savvy fantasy managers.
DHQ Verdict
Dynasty Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Risk Level: Moderate
Ceiling: Mid-range TE1 capable of finishing among the top five fantasy tight ends if his touchdown production rebounds.
Floor: Reliable high-end TE2 who remains Lamar Jackson’s trusted security blanket but sees his weekly upside limited by age and Baltimore’s evolving offense.
Buy, Hold, or Sell: Buy. Andrews’ dynasty value has dipped more because of perception than production. For contenders, he represents one of the better veteran values at the position, while current managers shouldn’t move him unless they’re receiving premium value.
2026 Outlook: Expect Andrews to rebound from his career-low 2025 season. With Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar gone, a healthy Lamar Jackson, and a larger share of Baltimore’s high-value red-zone opportunities, Andrews projects as a dependable low-end TE1 with legitimate upside to outperform expectations.
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