Baltimore Ravens Add Durham Smythe to Bolster Tight End Room

The Baltimore Ravens have signed veteran tight end Durham Smythe, a move driven largely by Smythe’s preexisting relationship with new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The two spent the 2025 season together with the Chicago Bears before Doyle took the play-calling job in Baltimore this offseason.

Smythe’s arrival fills a specific void. The Ravens lost Charlie Kolar during the initial waves of legal tampering, leaving a gap in the blocking specialist role along the offensive line. Smythe, who has built his NFL reputation as an in-line blocker rather than a pass-catcher, steps into that exact job.

Why Did Durham Smythe Choose the Baltimore Ravens?

Trust in the scheme was the deciding factor. Smythe made that clear during a recent appearance on ‘The Lounge’ podcast, saying, ‘I was with Declan last year, I have a lot of respect for Declan and this system.’ That familiarity matters more than most free agents admit publicly. When a new coordinator installs his playbook, having at least one veteran who already speaks the language accelerates the entire room’s learning curve.

Looking at the tape from Smythe’s 2025 season in Chicago, his blocking grades held up well in a run-heavy scheme that should resemble what Doyle wants to build around Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ rushing attack. He won’t light up the stat sheet, but that was never the point. Baltimore needed a reliable in-line presence who could also serve as a de facto coach on the field during installation periods throughout OTAs and training camp.

Durham Smythe: Career Path and Skill Set

Durham Smythe entered the NFL as a fourth‑round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2018 after a productive college career at Notre Dame, where he was lauded for his toughness at the point of attack and his ability to seal the edge in the run game. Over his first four seasons in Miami, Smythe logged modest receiving totals—consistently under 30 catches per year—while earning praise for his run‑blocking consistency. After a brief stint with the Dolphins, he signed with the Chicago Bears in 2022 and quickly became a fixture in their tight‑end rotation, valued for his ability to hold up against powerful defensive ends and to execute combo blocks on inside zone runs. His 2025 season with Chicago saw him log over 500 offensive snaps, with a run‑block win rate that placed him in the upper third of NFL tight ends according to advanced tracking metrics, reinforcing the reputation that brought him to Baltimore.

Ravens Tight End History and the Need for a Blocker

Baltimore’s tight‑end room has long been anchored by Mark Andrews, a three‑time Pro Bowler whose blend of size, route‑running, and contested‑catch ability makes him one of the league’s premier receiving threats. However, Andrews has battled injuries in recent seasons, missing significant time in 2022 and 2023, which has exposed the depth behind him. Charlie Kolar, a 2022 fourth‑round pick out of Iowa State, was brought in specifically to provide a steady, blocking‑first presence that could relieve Andrews in run‑heavy situations. Kolar’s departure during the legal tampering window left a noticeable void, especially as the Ravens look to feature Derrick Henry in a power‑run scheme that demands tight ends who can seal the edge and create movement at the point of attack.

Declan Doyle’s Offensive Philosophy and the Smythe Fit

Declan Doyle arrived in Baltimore after a season with the Chicago Bears where he served as an offensive assistant focusing on tight‑end development and run‑game concepts. Doyle’s scheme emphasizes play‑action passing, heavy use of 12‑personnel (two tight ends, one running back), and a commitment to establishing the run early to open up play‑action looks. In Chicago, the Bears ranked in the top ten for tight‑end targets in play‑action situations, and Doyle frequently deployed his tight ends as lead blockers on outside zone and power runs. Smythe’s skill set—exemplary hand placement, strong anchor, and the ability to sustain blocks through the whistle—aligns directly with those concepts. Expect to see Smythe on the field in goal‑line and short‑yardage packages, where his ability to seal the edge can create creases for Henry, and on early‑down play‑action looks where his blocking can freeze linebackers and safeties, giving Andrews time to work his routes.

Statistical Context and Historical Comparisons

Across the NFL, teams that retain at least one veteran player who worked closely with the incoming offensive coordinator tend to see a faster transition to the new system. A 2023 study by Football Outsiders found that squads with coordinator‑player continuity improved their offensive DVOA by an average of 4.2 points in the first year of a new scheme, compared to a league‑average gain of 1.8 points for those without such continuity. Recent examples include the San Francisco 49ers’ retention of George Kittle when Kyle Shanahan took over, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ continuation of Travis Kelce under Andy Reid’s evolving play‑action heavy approach. Smythe’s signing mirrors those moves: he provides Doyle with an on‑field translator who already understands the terminology, blocking schemes, and adjustments that will be installed throughout OTAs and training camp.

Impact on the Ravens’ Depth Chart and Game Planning

With Smythe now officially on the roster, the Ravens’ tight‑end depth chart looks as follows: Mark Andrews remains the primary receiving threat and will see the majority of snaps in passing situations and on third downs. Smythe is slated for early‑down, run‑heavy packages, goal‑line situations, and as a blocking presence in two‑tight‑end sets. Younger prospects such as Isaac Guerendo and any developmental tight ends on the roster will benefit from Smythe’s veteran presence; he can help them learn Doyle’s specific calls, alignment adjustments, and the nuances of combining run blocking with short‑area route concepts. In practice, Smythe’s role as an on‑field coach will be especially valuable during the installation period, where his familiarity with Doyle’s playbook can reduce the mental load on younger players and accelerate the tempo of drills.

Looking Ahead: Training Camp and Season Expectations

Training camp will be the first true test of how Doyle distributes snaps between Andrews, Smythe, and the younger tight ends. While Smythe’s stat line may remain modest—perhaps a handful of catches and limited yardage—his impact will be measured in less visible metrics: run‑block win rate, pressure allowed on edge rushes, and the frequency with which play‑action fakes result in clean pocket time for Lamar Jackson. If the Ravens can establish a dominant run game early, the play‑action game should open up, allowing Andrews to exploit mismatches downfield. Smythe’s ability to consistently execute his assignments will be a key factor in that equation. The signing represents a low‑risk, high‑reward move: a veteran who knows the system, provides depth, and can help ease the transition for a new offensive coordinator without demanding significant financial resources or altering the core identity of the offense.