Mark Andrews may not be seeing many targets at the moment, but Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh remains confident that big performances are on the horizon for the All-Pro tight end. Despite Andrews being targeted only once in the Ravens’ 35-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4—and having just two targets with no catches over the past two games—Harbaugh assured reporters that Andrews will have significant impact games moving forward.
Harbaugh emphasized that Andrews is a “star” and expressed optimism about the Ravens’ offensive potential, especially given that they have been able to perform well without heavily relying on him. Harbaugh views this as a positive sign, knowing that once Andrews is more involved, the offense will become even more dynamic.
Ravens fans and fantasy football managers alike will be eager to see Andrews bounce back, as he remains a key player in Baltimore’s offensive scheme.
More Harbaugh: "Mark is a star. There's no doubt about it."
Harbaugh said he's excited about the fact that they've had big games offensively without Andrews being heavily involved. Shows offense's potential because he knows Andrews will make plays this year. https://t.co/YykyZJ8glv— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 30, 2024
While the Baltimore Ravens’ ability to score 53 points without involving Mark Andrews heavily is a testament to their offensive versatility, it’s fair to question whether this success guarantees a return to form for the star tight end. Scoring without relying on Lamar Jackson’s top target highlights the team’s depth and adaptability, but it may not necessarily translate into increased opportunities for Andrews moving forward.
John Harbaugh’s confidence in Andrews is understandable, but with the Ravens spreading the ball around effectively, Andrews might not see the high volume of targets he once did. The offense has proven it can thrive with contributions from a variety of players, meaning Andrews could see more up-and-down involvement depending on matchups and game flow.
While his talent remains unquestioned, better days for Andrews aren’t a certainty despite Harbaugh’s assurances.
John Harbaugh’s Promise is Unrealistic
The Baltimore Ravens’ reliance on their running game, particularly with Derrick Henry in top form, has been a major factor in their recent success and the reduced involvement of Mark Andrews in the passing game. Henry’s dominant performance against the Buffalo Bills, where he rushed for 209 yards on 24 carries, was a big reason Andrews saw only one target during the game. This run-heavy approach has been paying dividends, as the Ravens have leaned on Henry to control the game and win with power and speed on the ground.
John Harbaugh has acknowledged the impact of the run-first strategy on Andrews’ limited role. During the Ravens’ 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, Henry carried the ball 25 times, showcasing how central the ground game is to Baltimore’s offensive identity. With Henry leading the NFL in rushing yards (480) through four games, the same formula is likely to continue, which could further limit Andrews’ opportunities in the passing game.
While the Ravens’ run-heavy approach is working well, it may continue to curb Andrews’ production as long as Henry remains the focal point of the offense.
In addition to Derrick Henry’s dominance in the Ravens’ run game, Mark Andrews faces another challenge: the emergence of fellow tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely has been increasingly involved in the passing game, developing solid chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson. As a versatile and athletic roving pass-catcher, Likely’s role is growing, and his presence is adding another layer to the Ravens’ offense, which could further reduce Andrews’ target share.
Likely’s ability to line up in multiple spots and make plays downfield has given Jackson another reliable option, creating competition for targets that once primarily went to Andrews. While Andrews remains a key piece of Baltimore’s offense, the rise of Likely as a complementary or alternative option in two-tight-end sets means that Jackson may continue spreading the ball around, making it more difficult for Andrews to return to his previous high-volume production.
With Henry commanding attention in the ground game and Likely stepping up in the passing game, Andrews’ role may continue to evolve, leaving his fantasy football and real-life production less predictable.
With new targets like Isaiah Likely cutting into Mark Andrews’ catches and Derrick Henry anchoring a dominant ground attack, Andrews can’t rely on John Harbaugh’s assurances that his big games are coming. Instead, the veteran tight end must adapt to stay relevant in the evolving Baltimore Ravens offense.
Andrews has thrived as a traditional pass-catching tight end, but to maintain his importance, he’ll need to modify his game by embracing a more versatile role. That could mean improving his run blocking to stay on the field more consistently, particularly in a run-heavy offense. Additionally, Andrews could line up in different spots, perhaps even out wide or in the slot, to create mismatches and make it harder for defenses to key in on him.
By becoming more effective in these areas, Andrews can remain a vital piece of the offense, even if he isn’t receiving the high volume of targets he’s used to. This adaptability will allow him to stay productive despite the competition for touches and the team’s reliance on the ground game.
Mark Andrews Need to Play a Different Game
Mark Andrews is indeed redefining his game, shifting his focus to being a blocker first and a receiver second. This adjustment was evident in his recent performances, where his blocking has been crucial to the Ravens’ success on the ground. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Andrews played a pivotal role in clearing defenders out of running lanes, and he continued that trend during the Ravens’ rout of the Buffalo Bills.
One standout moment came during Derrick Henry’s 87-yard touchdown run in Week 4, where Andrews delivered a key block at the second level. As highlighted by Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink, Andrews’ block was instrumental in springing Henry for the score. At 29 years old, Andrews is evolving into a complete tight end, demonstrating his value not only as a pass-catcher but also as a dominant force in the run game. This shift in his role showcases his willingness to adapt and stay impactful, even as the Ravens’ offense changes.
Mark Andrews and fellow tight ends, like Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, are playing critical roles in the Baltimore Ravens’ throwback rushing designs. Their ability to block at a high level is not only benefiting Derrick Henry but also Lamar Jackson in the ground game. The Ravens are leveraging their tight ends to create mismatches and outmuscle defenders in creative run schemes.
A prime example of this came when both Andrews and Likely lined up in the backfield during a clever play designed to free Jackson for a rushing touchdown. Andrews delivered a key block, turning around Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis, while Likely also helped pave the way for Jackson’s path to the end zone. These versatile tight ends are crucial to the Ravens’ success, allowing the team to utilize a physical, multi-dimensional rushing attack that can confuse and overpower defenses.
By excelling as blockers, Andrews and the other tight ends are ensuring that Baltimore’s run-first offense remains dynamic and difficult to stop, giving both Jackson and Henry the space to thrive.
Blocking tight ends who can dominate physical matchups have become a central feature of the Baltimore Ravens’ offense this season, which is changing the way they move the ball. While this shift may hurt Mark Andrews’ stat line as a pass-catcher, it’s a testament to his willingness to adapt and embrace the physical side of the game.
Andrews’ effectiveness as a blocker has made him a key component in the Ravens’ ground-and-pound attack, enabling both Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson to excel in the running game. By willingly “mixing it up on the deck,” Andrews is proving his value in areas beyond receiving, showing he can contribute to the team’s success even if it means fewer targets. This unselfishness and versatility are essential to how Baltimore is controlling games through their physical, run-heavy approach.
Though his receiving numbers may dip, Andrews’ expanded role in blocking helps maintain his importance in the Ravens’ offense and reflects his evolution as a complete player.
