He’s not getting the targets he’s used to, but Mark Andrews still believes he’s proving invaluable for the Baltimore Ravens. The All-Pro tight end defended his slow start to the 2025 NFL season by citing some of the less fashionable, but essential work he’s doing away from the passing game.
Andrews is adamant, “I don’t look at it as slow. I’m doing a lot of things to make big plays. You look at the first game [against Buffalo]. Just about every run was sprung on a block behind me. In my eyes, I’m trying to win games and help this team out. I feel like I’m doing a good job with the things that are asked of me,” per Ryan Mink and Clifton Brown of Ravens.com.
Lending his physicality to the running game obviously benefits the Ravens, but Andrews has always been more active and effective as a receiver. He’s the safe pair of hands franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson has historically relied upon in clutch situations, but different playmakers are emerging as go-to targets.
It means Andrews hasn’t taken full advantage of still having the bulk of the workload at tight end to himself, while his main competition is injured.
Mark Andrews in Defense Mode Over Targets Decline
Even without much work as a receiver, Andrews is still helping his offense with blocks like these highlighted by The 33rd Teams’s Ethan Young.
Todd Monken utilized a lot of 13 personnel, even with Isaiah Likely out (Charlie Kolar had 31 snaps and Zaire Mitchell-Paden had
Yet, the fact the veteran even needs to defend his contributions speaks to his worrying lack of production through two games. The 30-year-old has made just four catches from a mere seven targets.
This isn’t how things were supposed to go for the three-time Pro Bowler with Isaiah Likely on the shelf. Andrews’ younger and more dynamic understudy was expected to eat into the senior figure’s target share during a pivotal campaign.
That’s not happening, but Andrews is slowly being usurped by other receivers. Worse still, he’s getting used to barren stretches.
Andrews faced a similarly fallow period early last season, but he rebounded to snag 11 of Jackson’s touchdown passes. Head coach John Harbaugh promised things would turn around, and the sideline chief is singing the same tune about Andrews and fellow tight end Charlie Kolar getting more work as this campaign progresses.
As Harbaugh put it, “Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar are going to catch a lot of passes. I expect those guys to be a big part of what we’re doing.”
Those words are good news for Andrews, but he’s still facing an uphill battle to replace a rising star as Jackson’s favorite receiver.
New No. 1 Receiver Taking Over for Ravens
Third-year pro Zay Flowers has been the undisputed No. 1 target in Baltimore’s offense during the first two weeks of the season. He’s been targeted 20 times, made 14 catches and turned them into 218 yards.
Flowers “has accounted for 42.6% of Lamar Jackson’s targets,” according to Kevin Oestreicher of Ravens Wire.
Flowers has accounted for 42.6% of Lamar Jackson’s targets through Week 2, a major sign of the growing chemistry between the two
It makes sense there’s a major disparity between Flowers and the next most active receiver on the roster. The first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft is feasting after the catch, averaging 8.1 yards when he gets the ball into his hands, per Pro Football Reference.
Flowers is turning short passes into big plays, but the Ravens can also count on the latter from Jackson’s statement-making connection with five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins.
The burgeoning combination of Hopkins and Flowers, along with a second-year player with a “crazy” level of scoring efficiency, makes it tougher for Andrews to restore his status in the pass attack.
He may have to get used to leaning into the unheralded aspects of his position.
Mark Andrews Defends Ravens Slow Start