Baltimore Ravens rookie preview: Mark Andrews

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Tight end Mark Andrews #81 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Tight end Mark Andrews #81 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 25: Tight end Mark Andrews #81 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 25: Tight end Mark Andrews #81 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens drafted Mark Andrews in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Today we’re going to look at what Andrews brings to the table and what he can do in his rookie campaign.

The 2018 season cannot come fast enough for the Baltimore Ravens. There are some exciting new faces to the team and one of them is Mark Andrews, the 6’5″ tight end from Oklahoma. When the season gets underway, Andrews figures to be a big part of the offense. The Ravens made a huge effort to reset their wide receiver room, but they also are starting over at tight end. The Ravens drafted Hayden Hurst in the first round, making this a two tight end draft class.

Nick Boyle figures to stay in the mix at tight end because he is probably the best blocking tight end left on the roster. That being said, the play-making duties belong to Hurst and Andrews. Marty Mornhinweg is obviously going to be inclined to use more two tight end formations, but that doesn’t mean a less spread out passing game.

His fit in the offense:

Andrews is basically a wide receiver, one who will do the bulk of his work from the slot. Andrews is a good route runner, who knows how to help out his quarterback. If Joe Flacco can build the kind of chemistry with Andrews, that Baker Mayfield did, it will behoove the Ravens’ offense.

Andrews is there to create mismatches in the passing game. He is what every tight end should be, a tough assignment to cover. Defensive backs are two small to give Andrews too much trouble and most linebackers aren’t keeping up with him. His role in the offense is to stretch the field and to be a play-maker out of the slot. He’s not a burner, but he’s quick and he can come away with the football if he has to go up and get it. Andrews essentially will be what Maxx Williams was supposed to be. The Ravens got it wrong with Williams, however it looks like they got it right with Andrews.

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