When the Ravens eye up tight end prospects, they often see double.
After losing Isaiah Likely (New York Giants) and Charlie Kolar (Los Angeles Chargers) in free agency this offseason, DeCosta made it clear that the Ravens might draft a pair of tight ends.
"I think [at] tight end, we have a couple guys right now on the roster, but I think there's a strong chance that we'll add a couple more throughout, for sure," DeCosta said at Wednesday's pre-draft press conference.
The Ravens have double-dipped at tight end four times in franchise history, with much success. The last time they drafted only one tight end in a class was 2014 (Crockett Gillmore). Here's the history:
- 2022 – Kolar and Likely (fourth round)
- 2018 – Hayden Hurst (first round), Mark Andrews (third round).
- 2015 – Maxx Williams (second round), Nick Boyle (fifth round)
- 2010 – Ed Dickson (third round), Dennis Pitta (fourth round)
So, who might the Ravens be looking at this time around?
The Ravens franchise leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns, Andrews has evolved into a do-it-all tight end over his eight seasons. Though he posted a career-low 422 receiving yards last season, the Ravens see a rebound in 2026.
Likely was a versatile weapon who lined up across the formation, while Kolar evolved into a primary in-line blocking tight end who caught teams by surprise as a reliable receiver. Durham Smythe, whom the Ravens signed this offseason, primarily fills Kolar's role.
Thus, Baltimore could be in the market for a move tight end more in Likely's mold to address the short-term need, as well as tight ends with traits that could be developed for long-term impact.
Here are some of this year's top tight end prospects:
Max Klare, Ohio State
Klare is a big-bodied (6-5, 243) receiving tight end who can stress the deeper part of the field. He posted 43 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns last season in a loaded Ohio State offense.
Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Stowers (6-4, 215) was a four-star dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school who committed to Texas A&M. After two years as a backup, he transferred to New Mexico State, but again didn't win the starting quarterback job, so he converted to tight end. He had a breakout at Vanderbilt, posting 62 catches for 769 yards and four touchdowns in his final season. Considering his late position switch, there's a high ceiling. Stowers also showed off his athleticism at the Combine, setting a record for tight ends in the broad jump and posting the second-highest vertical of any position since 2003.
Jack Endries, Texas
Endries (6-4, 244) was a consistent performer with more than 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons. He projects as a strong in-line threat.
Michael Trigg, Baylor
Trigg (6-4, 240) played at USC, Ole Miss, and Baylor and had a strong fifth season with 50 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns. He's a versatile threat who creates mismatch problems for the defense with his speed, route-running, and tackle-breaking ability. Trigg's tape shows circus catches and explosiveness that have drawn comparisons to Likely. Trigg also measured in with the longest wingspan of the tight ends at the Combine.
Oscar Delp, Georgia
Delp doesn't boast big-time receiving production, as he never reached 300 receiving yards in a season and scored nine touchdowns over his four years. He began as Brock Bowers' backup before stepping into the primary role. However, he impressed scouts with a 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, and he is a physical blocker, particularly on the perimeter. A hairline fracture in his foot was discovered at the Combine.
Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
Raridon is a big tight end at nearly 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds. That size helps him as an inline blocker and gives him a big catch radius. Raridon shows the ability to go up and make tough catches in traffic. He's not as quick and sudden as some other tight ends (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds), and he tore the same ACL in his right knee in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022.
Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Kacmarek is arguably the best blocking tight end in this year's class. He's a tone setter up front. Kacmarek flashed good hands (zero drops) and the ability to make catches in traffic, but he only made 65 catches for 761 yards over his final four seasons, as Klare was the primary receiving tight end for the Buckeyes.
Sam Roush, Stanford
Another big tight end at 6-foot-6, 267 pounds, Roush is a good mix of a strong blocker who can move defensive linemen but also has solid receiving production. He dominated on shorter out-routes and posted a career-high 49 catches for 545 yards and two touchdowns in his final season. His shorter arms (sub 31 inches) raised question marks.
Justin Joly, NC State
Joly is one of the most productive receivers in this year's tight end class, with 13 touchdowns and an average of 576 receiving yards over the past three seasons. He's excellent with the ball in his hands and making catches in tight windows, particularly over the middle of the field. He's on the shorter side at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, which makes inline blocking more challenging, but he's a willing blocker.
