Is Mark Andrews the Ravens Most Indispensable Player?
Mark Andrews proved to be a promising piece of this offense during his rookie season last year. So much so one NFL analyst believes Andrews is the Baltimore Ravens most indispensable player other than quarterback Lamar Jackson. Here’s why I agree:
While recording an episode on the Move the Sticks podcast with co-host Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks named Ravens tight end Mark Andrews as the Ravens most indispensable player (they didn’t include quarterbacks for obvious reasons), which was a surprise to me at first. The first player that came to mind before Brooks named Mark Andrews was safety Earl Thomas III, Baltimore’s big-ticket free agent acquisition. Although I didn’t agree at first, my opinion changed after listening to Brooks’ reasoning:
"“I know on the surface people say what, why Mark Andrews? They have Hayden Hurst, they have other tight ends that can play. Because I believe Mark Andrews is Lamar Jackson’s security blanket. He is the guy that I believe he [Jackson] trusts in key situations and with the young guys that they have on the perimeter, I just believe that Mark Andrews is going to be the guy that when he [Jackson] gets in a pinch, he’s going to find him. We saw some of the explosive plays that this combination was able to deliver. I think he becomes the guy that is the number one option in the passing game. I think he catches a ton of balls from Lamar Jackson this season.” – Bucky Brooks on the Move the Sticks Podcast."
It’s refreshing to hear Mark Andrews praised by someone outside out Baltimore because the guy deserves it. Last season, Andrews didn’t wait to prove himself as a reliable pass catcher and blocker. His coming out party was arguably his 68-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Chargers in week 16 of the regular season. I was at this game so believe me, this was his coming out party. Everyone in the stands was cheering his name as he made the key offensive play in a nationally televised statement game for the 2018 Baltimore Ravens.
Although you could make an argument that another player is the teams most indispensable, I believe this offense would take a huge hit if they were to lose Andrews. Sure, they have 2018 first round pick Hayden Hurst as tight end number two, but he’s coming off a foot injury from last season and still has a lot to prove. Behind Hurst they have Nick Boyle, but he’s mainly a blocking tight end and has yet to score his first NFL touchdown (no offense to Boyle). For a team and quarterback that relies heavily on tight end sets, losing Andrews would almost be devastating.
2018 Regular Season Statistics:
Receptions: 34
Receiving Yards: 552
Touchdowns: 3
My 2019 regular Season Projections:
Receptions: 55
Receiving Yards: 902
Touchdowns: 6
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My expectations for Andrews are very high this year and his solid offseason has made me even more confident in his ability to become a top five tight end in this league. Andrews will be a mismatch nightmare for linebackers too slow to stay with him and safeties too small to cover him. Pair that with Greg Romans newly implemented scheme, and Mark Andrews will prove himself to be indispensable.