Three tight end sets are a staple of the Baltimore Ravens offense, but that TE3 spot is wide open right now. They may have an answer in Miles Boykin.
No team in the NFL values the tight end position more than the Baltimore Ravens. In 2020, Baltimore had 125 of its 289 pass completions (~43.3%) go to the tight ends. Each of their three tight ends, being Mark Andrews (Pro Bowler), Nick Boyle, and Hayden Hurst, caught at least 30 passes and two touchdowns (14 total). Hurst was traded this offseason to the Atlanta Falcons, leaving a hole at that crucial third tight end spot. The Ravens don’t have a surefire replacement for Hurst right now, but I have a potential solution: give some reps to Miles Boykin.
I’m not endorsing a full-time move to tight end right away, as Boykin isn’t quite big enough for a full-time switch immediately at just 220-lbs. Regardless, he does have the height (6’4″) and “my ball” mentality to potentially make that position switch. At a minimum, Baltimore should entertain the move in 2020 with a few test runs.
Miles Boykin reminds me of a former Baltimore Raven and one of the league’s premier tight ends, Darren Waller. Ignoring the off-field issues Waller had during his time in Baltimore, Waller was a huge wide receiver coming out of Georgia Tech at 6’6″ and hovering around 230-lbs. to 240-lbs. at the time (2015). The Ravens eventually tried moving Waller to tight end, where he found some success before facing suspensions. Now with the Las Vegas Raiders, Waller is arguably a top-five tight end in all of football.
I could envision a similar boost for Miles Boykin, although to a much lesser extent in his first year. Boykin simply looks the part of that big-body target who is a willing run blocker that the Ravens value at the tight end spot. Should he add on 10-lbs. or 15-lbs. throughout the next year-or-so, we could have a potential fit for the TE3 spot on the roster.
What’s more, that spot is crucial to the Ravens offense firing on all cylinders, and I don’t see any player currently on the roster with more talent than Miles Boykin for that move. UDFA Eli Wolf makes the most sense immediately, as does adding a veteran tight end, but for the billionth time: Miles Boykin provides the most upside and is by far the most intriguing option for this spot.
Odds are the Baltimore Ravens will look to sign a free agent tight end or role with someone who is actually of that position, but the idea of moving Miles Boykin there, even as just an experiment, as an exciting one.