Baltimore Ravens: 2018 will be the Renaissance of the tight end position
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With all the draft ammunition the Ravens have spent on the tight end position, you’d think they’d be set by now. While that unfortunately has yet to be true, 2018 could prove to be that turning point the team has eagerly waited for, and not just for this year’s class.
Yes, Hayden Hurst is the sexy name atop the depth chart, while fellow rookie Mark Andrews is also intriguing, but we can’t just overlook a healthy Maxx Williams. It wasn’t long ago that Williams was touted as a tremendously gifted athlete with a ceiling as high as you can imagine. Now that Williams is completely healthy, who’s to say he can’t finally live up to his draft billing?
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Meanwhile, Williams joins the aforementioned Hurst and Andrews to form a young, dynamic trio at the tight end position. All three of these guys are gifted receivers who could thrive in the red-zone or as a check-down specialist. That just so happens to be an extremely important facet of the Ravens offense.
Joe Flacco has become the check-down king, and there is no better beneficiary of this system than his tight ends. Last season, Benjamin Watson (now with the New Orleans Saints) led the team with 61 receptions at the tight end position. With him out of the picture, it only makes sense that the three youngsters would find a way to at least split those 61 catches among each other.
Better yet, Ravens tight ends had 104 receptions in 2017, between Watson’s previously mentioned 61 receptions, plus Williams’ 15 and Nick Boyle’s 28 receptions. Splitting those 104 catches between Williams, Hurst, and Andrews is an exciting thought if they can all stay healthy and live up to their potential.