All offseason, the talk around the Baltimore Ravens has been centered around Mark Andrews. A down season, encapsulated by a poor performance in the AFC Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills, had many debating his future in Baltimore.
That, along with his cap hit, had many thinking Eric DeCosta would look to trade the star tight end. As we move closer to the 2025 season, it looks like Andrews will stay home, which should pay off.
Ravens offense headlined by their tight end group
In a recent article, Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked the NFL's strongest and weakest position groups. At tight end, the Ravens sit atop the league. Historically, Baltimore has dominated the league at tight end. It’s been the passing offense’s bread and butter since their inaugural season in 1996. This season, though, they look to have one of those dominant groups of all time.
With Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar, there are a variety of schemes and looks the Ravens could haunt opposing defenses with. Although it was statistically a down year for Andrews, he still found paydirt 11 times in 2024, a Ravens tight end record. His connection with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is one of the most feared duos in the league, and that partnership can’t be taken for granted.
Likely is another dangerous red zone threat, almost always coming down with jump ball opportunities. He continued to break out in 2024, hauling in six touchdown receptions and grading out as the 12th-best tight end in the league, according to PFF.
With Andrews and Likely taking care of business, the Ravens’ 12 personnel is one of the most effective formations in the NFL. It not only puts the best four receiving weapons on the field in Andrews, Likely, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman, but also allows the running game to be at its best, with two bigger-bodied tight ends wreaking havoc next to the offensive line. It’s one of the aspects that gives the Ravens’ elite offense an advantage over other teams.
Kolar might be an unsung hero going into 2025. The 26-year-old got slightly more action in 2024 and has become a better blocker since his days at Iowa State. While the dynamic duo of Andrews and Likely will take most of the reps, Kolar has shone when given the opportunity. With another strong offseason, the fourth-year man could continue to blossom into a more prominent role in the Ravens’ offense.
With all the star weapons back ready for another season, and Derrick Henry on a fresh new contract extension, this team should be primed for another run into the postseason. Let’s hope they end it with the Lombardi Trophy.