The Baltimore Ravens are hungry to add another Super Bowl to their trophy case. For the past few seasons, they have been one of the best teams in the AFC but have not been able to get past the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. Quarterback Lamar Jackson gives any team a chance, but the team needs to make sure their roster is ready to compete now. As the NFL Draft approaches, teams have been known to make deals to try and get the next franchise player. Sometimes, this involves moving on from a current player. One analyst believes the Ravens should try and dangle star tight end Mark Andrews on draft day.
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews Trade?
Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports made a list of trade bait for all 32 teams. While many of the players are not a surprise, there were some spicy picks. One of them was long-time Baltimore Ravens player Mark Andrews. The former third-round pick has spent seven years with the team and has been the favorite target of many quarterbacks. In his career, he has caught 436 passes for 5,530 yards and 51 touchdowns. However, Vacchiano believes the 29-year-old could be a valuable asset to trade.
“There’s no doubt he’s a favorite target of QB Lamar Jackson when he’s healthy and playing well, but he’s not the elite tight end he was four years ago. He’s reliable, steady and a good red-zone target, but he’s also about to turn 30 and will be a free agent next year. He still has value to contending teams. He could be expendable to the Ravens, though, because they may see more upside in 25-year-old tight end Isaiah Likely. They’d have to commit to Likely, though, because he’s scheduled to be a free agent in March, too.”
The presence of Isaiah Likely and the age of Andrews are the biggest factors for the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, Likely became more of a primary target, often outproducing the veteran. They will not want to pay both players big money and would likely (no pun intended) want to pay the younger player.
Good Move?
This isn’t the worst idea for the Baltimore Ravens. Too often, teams wait too long to move on from a player. It is often better to move on one year too early than a year too late. Andrews did catch 11 touchdowns last season but hasn’t hit 1,000 yards receiving since 2021, the year he won first-team All-Pro honors. His injury history is concerning, and the Ravens have plenty of players they need to pay.
If the team could get an additional pick or two from another team, that would help in reducing salary cap numbers and infusing young talent into this roster. It’s always hard to move on franchise legend. However, the smart teams know the NFL is a business, and winning often means sacrificing older players.
Final Thoughts
The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times in the NFL offseason. The Baltimore Ravens may see an opportunity with the Chiefs seemingly taking a step back this season. (We’ll see.) Can the Ravens finally get over the hump and make it back to a Super Bowl in 2025?
