Mark

Andrews

Andrews has been little more than a touchdown-dependent play for fantasy managers this season and he didn’t do anything to beat those allegations in Sunday’s win over the Vikings. The veteran tight end found the end zone in the fourth quarter on a two-yard strike from Lamar Jackson, but had an otherwise unforgettable outing. Andrews has a 17-94-2 line over his last four games and shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a TE2 in next week’s game against the Browns.

It was the second time in five days Andrews commanded only three targets. The difference this time, as you can see, is that he scored two touchdowns. The first was a two-yarder on a first quarter fourth down where Andrews got lost in the back of the end zone. The second was a 20-yarder where two Dolphins defenders freed Andrews by running into each other. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Elsewhere, Andrews converted a tush push as a runner and watched Isaiah Likely turn his four targets into 3/60. With Likely and Lamar Jackson finally both healthy at the same time, Andrews’ already perilously low floor could be sinking even lower. He will be more of a TE2 than TE1 for Week 10 against the Vikings.

Jackson was a full participant in practice throughout the week and told reporters on Tuesday that he was ready to go. It looked like Jackson would be back in Week 8 after the team listed him as a full participant on Friday, but that charade was quickly unmasked when it was reported that he worked with the scout team for the final practice of the week. The team then ruled him out and even retroactively changed his practice status, a move that could result in a fine. A final week of rest may have been for the best as Jackson appears to be fully healthy, putting him back at the top of the QB ranks for Week 9. His return will also push Zay Flowers up in the WR2 range while keeping Mark Andrews at the back of the TE1 ranks.

Andrews continues to be a shell of the player he once was. The veteran tight end topped 30 yards for just the third time in seven games this season, but most of his yardage came on a 24-yard play in the second quarter. Sunday marked the fourth time this season that Andrews has seen three or fewer targets in a game. There’s little reason for fantasy managers to trust him in Week 9’s game against the Dolphins.

Two of Andrews’ three “carries” were goal-line tush pushes where, as you can see, he did not reach the end zone. The dreadful play-calling led to a Derrick Henry fourth-down stop and left the game tied at three at halftime. The Rams then quickly made it 17-3 early in the third frame. Although he’s had Lamar Jackson’s absence as an alibi the past two weeks, Andrews has now been held to 30 receiving yards or fewer every game but one this season. Already hurting for ceiling, it just hasn’t been possible with L-Jax on the shelf. Jackson is expected to return against the Bears following the Ravens’ Week 7 bye, probably keeping Andrews on the TE1/2 borderline.

His one incomplete target hit him in the hands, and Andrews bobbled it away into Jalen Pitre’s lap for an interception. Andrews saw his lowest snap count of the season at 25 with Baltimore establishing a run-first identity and never really pivoting away from it despite the scoreline instructing them to. He’ll be a low-end TE1 at best against the Rams in Week 6.

Isaiah Likely was back from a foot injury but it was Andrews who dominated tight end work for the Ravens, running 27 routes and seeing a team-high eight targets while Likely was not targeted on 20 routes. Andrews has had an up and down start to the season, but now has 13 receptions over his past two games. He remains a full-time player in a high-powered offense, though the potential loss of Lamar Jackson to a hamstring injury could be a major blow to Andrews in Week 5 against the Texans.

Andrews ranked second in targets and caught two of the three passing touchdowns from Lamar Jackson, resurrecting his fantasy season in the process. The Ravens managed only 54 offensive plays on a night the Lions dominated the time of possession battle, which helps to explain the modest 27 pass attempts from Jackson. The veteran tight end gets another difficult matchup against Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense in Week 4.

Speaking to reporters earlier today, Likely said he is taking things “day-by-day” and does not yet know if he will be able to play on Monday night. Now is the time to stash Likely on benches where available. Mark Andrews, now 30 years old, has earned just four targets with Likely sidelined. Whenever he retakes the field, Likely has a real chance to make good on the promise he’s shown in the past. If he seizes the role, he can return TE1 value.

Andrews’ most notable play was the one he didn’t make — sounds familiar. After being found by Lamar Jackson in the back of the end zone for a would-be touchdown, Andrews had an easy score punched out on his way to the ground, missing out on a perfect scoring opportunity. Through two weeks, Lamar Jackson has attempted 48 passes, and only four of those looks have gone to Andrews. The early PFF data has Andrews running 26 routes in this one. His presence on the field would suggest a productive day is on the horizon, but until the targets come, it’s hard to feel good about him in Week 3 against the Lions.