Ravens Are Only Team With Two Top 10 Tight Ends in ESPN Rankings
Mark Andrews has been regarded as one of the NFL's best tight ends for the past six years. Teammate and fellow tight end Isaiah Likely is an ascending player poised for a breakout season.
Both were ranked in the top 10 at their position in ESPN’s survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts. With Andrews at No. 6 and Likely at No. 8, the Ravens were the only team to have two players in the rankings.
Andrews was ranked as high as No. 3 by voters.
"Andrews held up in the voting despite declines in yards and catches per game compared to previous years," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "But he was highly efficient when Lamar Jackson looked his way. Andrews produced a 140.9 passer rating for his quarterback on 69 targets, with 55 catches for 673 yards, 11 touchdowns and 1 interception."
An NFL coordinator said of Andrews: "Elite instincts. A QB's best friend. Dominates the middle of the field. Understands zones and man-to-man better than anyone outside of [Travis] Kelce. Baltimore is a totally different team without him."
Likely's highest ranking was No. 5.
"Cracking the top eight as a TE2 is an impressive feat for Likely," Fowler wrote. "But his profile in Baltimore is growing. He averaged 8.2 yards per target, ranking high within this tight end pool. His 4.3 yards of separation per route also is among the best for his position.
"Likely had 13 red zone targets, the most for any NFL tight end who isn't the primary starter. He turned those targets into eight catches for 56 yards and five scores."
A veteran NFL coach said: "He's a matchup guy, very loose, can separate, big catch radius, pretty diverse route tree."
Pundit Is Rooting for Andrews to Thrive in 2025
Andrews has made it clear that he is using the adversity from last January's playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills as fuel for the coming season.
NFL.com’s Dan Parr said he's rooting for Andrews to have a big year.
"Andrews' fumble and dropped two-point conversion against the Bills are not going to fade from fans' memories any time soon, but it would be a shame if that cold night in Buffalo ended up being the defining chapter of his Ravens career," Parr wrote. "I'd like to see the three-time Pro Bowler bounce back in a contract year and prove that his worst day at the office did indeed only make him stronger."
Andrews has the support of the entire organization, and no one has been more vocal in their belief in him than Jackson.
"I'm with Lamar Jackson on this one," Parr said. "Jackson clearly knows how much the tight end has meant to the franchise for close to a decade."
Jeff Zrebiec Is Eager to See Mike Green at Training Camp
Second-round edge rusher Mike Green was impressive during OTAs and minicamp, and The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec said Green is one player he is looking forward to seeing more of when training camp begins.
"You could see during the various offseason practices why the Ravens — and other teams — were so high on his football ability," Zrebiec wrote. "He practices extremely hard and plays with great intensity and aggressiveness. But it will be hard to get a feel for how far along he is as a pure pass rusher until training camp, when one-on-one reps are allowed and when he starts seeing preseason game action.
"If Green is ready to make an impact as a rookie, the Ravens' defense will be a handful for opponents."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Jeff Zrebiec Looks at Where Ravens Are Better, Worse, or About the Same As Last Year
- The Ravens are No. 4 in Bleacher Report’s power rankings ahead of training camp.
