Ravens Rookies Aren't Getting Many Awards, and Mark Andrews Is Miffed
Yesterday, we reviewed ESPN’s 2018 re-draft, which saw quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews and right tackle Orlando Brown all go significantly higher than they were drafted in real life.
So, if we can all agree they were steals, then where's the hardware!?!
NFL.com's Gil Brandt released his 2018 NFL All-Rookie squad and no Ravens made the list.
While Jackson had a spectacular rookie season, it's tough to argue against the Browns' Baker Mayfield, who started earlier and set a new single-season rookie record for touchdown passes.
Indianapolis Colts rookie Braden Smith made the team at right tackle after starting 13 games for an offensive line that surrendered an NFL-low 18 sacks. OK, fine.
"Ravens tackle Orlando Brown also made a strong push for consideration toward the end of the season," Brandt wrote.
But the Ravens' most obvious contender to make the team is Mark Andrews, and he didn't even get a mention. Andrews led all rookie tight ends with 552 receiving yards on 34 catches and three touchdowns. He did it despite starting just three games.
Instead, Brandt named Philadelphia Eagles rookie Dallas Goedert, who had 33 catches for 334 yards and four touchdowns in eight starts.
Oh, and Andrews took notice.
Andrews is good buddies with Mayfield, and it's clear he's got a little bit of his Oklahoma quarterback's fire when it comes to challenging the media.
Mayfield's nemesis is Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd and Andrews is taking on Brandt. Andrews may wanna be careful though … Brandt is one of General Manager Eric DeCosta's idols.
Anyway, Brandt isn't the only analyst to leave Andrews and his Ravens teammates off their awards list. The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) put New York Jets tight end Chris Herndon on their all-rookie team. Herndon started 12 games and made 39 catches for 502 yards and four scores.
Just to show that Andrews did get some postseason love this year, he was named to Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie team and ESPN’s rookie squad.
"The rookie tight ends played in plenty of games across the league but were not really a significant part of anyone's passing game. However, Andrews was steady and had three of his best outings over the last six games of the season," wrote ESPN's Jeff Legwold.
Lamar Jackson Named Among Top 100 People Shaping NFL
While Jackson was beat out by Mayfield among rookie honors, ESPN's Dan Graziano believes Jackson has a better chance of shaping the NFL.
Graziano compiled a list of 100 quarterbacks, coaches, issues and decision-makers shaping the NFL, and Jackson was No. 6 among quarterbacks (Mayfield was No. 7).
"Jackson carried Mike Vick comparisons with him out of college, and it landed him in the back end of the first round," Graziano wrote. "We've already seen that he can win games with his legs (695 rushing yards, five TDs). If he refines himself as a thrower, Jackson has a chance to be uniquely special."
Jackson's talent is definitely special. Just check out his college stats. As Graziano puts it, if Jackson can improve as a passer – and there's no reason to believe he can't – then the rest of the league better watch out.
Nobody else from the Ravens made ESPN's list. Jackson has been getting props at the Pro Bowl and Senior Bowl this week.
Ravens Lose National Scout to Green Bay Packers
DeCosta has another new, yet expected, item for his to-do list, as he will look to make a key hire (or promotion) within his scouting staff.
Milt Hendrickson has left his position as the Ravens' national scout to join the Green Bay Packers as their director of football operations, per The Athletic's Michael Cohen.
The Ravens have not publicly talked about the move, but Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst spoke about the hire at the Senior Bowl.
"Hendrickson’s] had experience on the pro side, experience on the college side,” [Gutekunst said. "I think he's a really good fit with our group as far as the group dynamics go. Just really another hand to try to help us get what we're trying to do."
Hendrickson began as a player personnel assistant in 2005 before moving up to Midwest area scout, then regional scout. He has been the Ravens' national scout since 2016.
According to long-time Packers reporter Bob McGinn, the Packers wanted to hire Hendrickson last May, but Ozzie Newsome denied the team's request to interview. Now with DeCosta at the helm, the move has reportedly been allowed to go through.
Hendrickson is a Wisconsin native and close friend of Gutekunst, according to Packers News’ Tom Silverstein. Hendrickson attended graduate school at UW-La Crosse the same time Gutekunst was finishing up his undergraduate degree at the school, and they worked together as assistants under coaching legend Roger Harring.
"I think it's a credit to Ozzie that we have lost as many guys as we have in the last four or five years," DeCosta said last offseason. "It shows me that we're doing something the right way. But we also believe in our younger guys. I see tremendous upside – to use a scouting phrase – in our scouting staff."
The Ravens will now perhaps turn to one of those younger guys as their new national scout.
"Hendrickson is the latest to leave Baltimore, and the Ravens are left to replace him in DeCosta's first offseason in charge," PennLive’s Aaron Kasinitz wrote. "In the NFL, challenges are plentiful and varied. DeCosta knew as much before he accepted the gig as Newsome's successor."
Quick Hits
- Former Ravens pass rusher Elvis Dumervil has built up a rental property empire where he grew up in South Florida.
