Mark Andrews entered the 2026 fantasy season ranked as the 19th tight end in early drafts, a slot many analysts argue underestimates his red‑zone threat. The veteran Baltimore Ravens tight end, fresh off a 10‑touchdown campaign, now sits at the center of a heated debate among owners who see his upside as a league‑winning asset. In a landscape where the tight end position has become increasingly volatile, Andrews represents a rare intersection of proven pedigree and current inefficiency in Average Draft Position (ADP).
Owners drafting in the first half of May are already tweaking their boards, citing the disparity between Andrews’ ADP and his proven ability to find the end zone. This phenomenon is not uncommon in the early stages of the fantasy cycle, where “recency bias” regarding injuries or perceived offensive shifts often suppresses the value of elite veterans. As the draft clock ticks, the question looms: will his draft position reflect true value, or will savvy managers snag a bargain that provides top-five production at a mid-round price point?
Why the ADP Doesn’t Match the Numbers
The latest ADP data from Sports Illustrated places Andrews at TE19, a surprising drop for a player who consistently posts double‑digit touchdowns. The report highlights that his draft position does not align with his upside, especially given his veteran status with the Baltimore Ravens. Historically, Andrews has been the gold standard for consistency at the position, yet the market currently views him as a tier-three option.
The core of the discrepancy lies in the metrics: Andrews’ target share in the red zone rose 12% last season, a metric the numbers reveal translates directly to fantasy points. In the NFL, red-zone target share is the single most predictive indicator of tight end success. When a player commands a double-digit increase in high-leverage opportunities, it usually triggers a spike in ADP. However, Andrews has fallen through the cracks, likely due to a league-wide trend of prioritizing younger, “athletic-profile” tight ends over established producers.
One reason for the gap is the perception that the Ravens will spread the ball more to running backs after recent offensive‑line upgrades. Critics argue that an improved front five will lead to more rushing touchdowns, cannibalizing the opportunities Andrews typically sees. Yet, this analysis ignores the strategic evolution of the Baltimore offense. The team’s new passing‑scheme coordinator has emphasized a tighter‑end‑centric approach, utilizing the position not just as a safety valve, but as the primary vertical threat in the red zone, which should keep Andrews in the cleats of the goal line.
Mark Andrews: A Red‑Zone Engine for the Ravens
Mark Andrews finished 2025 with 10 touchdowns, the most by any TE since 2022, and captured 18% of Baltimore‑s passing targets—up from 14% in 2024. To put this in perspective, very few tight ends in NFL history have maintained a target share above 15% over multiple seasons. This upward trend suggests that regardless of who is under center, Andrews remains the focal point of the aerial attack when the field shrinks.
The numbers reveal a clear upward trend in his red‑zone usage, a factor that fantasy calculators reward heavily. Beyond the scores, his efficiency has improved; his yards‑after‑catch (YAC) average jumped 25% after re‑uniting with quarterback Tyrod Taylor. This is a critical development for fantasy managers. While touchdowns provide the ceiling, YAC provides the floor. By generating significant yardage after the catch, Andrews ensures he remains a viable start even in weeks where the Ravens struggle to punch the ball into the end zone.
Veteran TE Jason Witten once warned that ADP can lag behind a player’s evolving role, and Andrews embodies that warning. The chemistry between Andrews and Taylor has evolved into a symbiotic relationship where Taylor’s ability to extend plays allows Andrews to find soft spots in zone coverage. This chemistry has turned short, five-yard outs into big gains, a fact that scouts and analysts noted during the offseason meetings as a primary driver for the 2026 offensive outlook.
Baltimore Ravens’ Offensive Shifts Favor Tight Ends
The organizational shift in Baltimore is palpable. The Ravens announced a new offensive‑scheme coordinator focused on tight‑end utilization. This is not merely a tactical change but a philosophical one. The coordinator’s playbook adds more play‑action passes that free Andrews from linebackers, using him in “Y-iso” sets where he is matched up one-on-one against slower defenders. Currently, the Ravens target him on 70% of red‑zone snaps, a staggering utilization rate that rivals the top-tier wide receivers on other teams.
For the analytical manager, monitoring weekly snap counts is the key to unlocking Andrews’ value. Historical data shows that when Andrews breaks the 70‑snap threshold, his fantasy floor rises substantially, as he becomes the primary read on third downs and goal-line situations. Furthermore, the league’s recent scoring tweaks now award extra points for red‑zone targets in several major fantasy formats. This change directly boosts Andrews’ projected weekly output, transforming him from a touchdown-dependent asset into a volume-based powerhouse.
Strategic Takeaways for Fantasy Managers
For owners, the ADP gap offers a clear strategic advantage: target Andrews in the middle rounds and pair him with a high‑scoring quarterback to maximize the stack potential. In PPR (Point Per Reception) leagues, his reception volume—averaging 5.8 per game—adds a safety net that mitigates the risk of a touchdown drought. When you combine this volume with his red-zone dominance, the value proposition becomes undeniable.
The optimal strategy is to treat Andrews as a “value-tier” pick. While the consensus ranks him as TE19, his projection based on target share and red-zone efficiency places him comfortably in the TE5 to TE8 range. By drafting him at the TE19 price point, managers essentially gain a free upgrade at the position, allowing them to spend higher draft capital on elite running backs or wide receivers in the early rounds.
Additionally, stay vigilant regarding the Ravens’ weekly snap counts during the preseason. If Andrews continues to exceed the 70‑snap mark in limited action, his floor climbs even higher. Managers who act quickly can pull the trigger on a trade or a strategic draft pick before the general public catches on and corrects the ADP.
Key Developments
- Touchdown Dominance: Andrews posted 10 touchdowns in 2025, the highest for a TE since 2022, cementing his status as a premier red-zone threat.
- Schematic Advantage: The Ravens announced a new offensive‑scheme coordinator focused specifically on tight‑end utilization, increasing play-action opportunities.
- Scoring Boost: Fantasy platforms have adjusted TE scoring to reward red‑zone targets, directly increasing Andrews’ projected fantasy points per game.
- Target Growth: His target share rose from 14% in 2024 to 18% in 2025, indicating a growing reliance on him within the offense.
FAQ
Q: How does Andrews’ 2025 target share compare to his 2024 season?
A: In 2025 he captured 18% of the Ravens’ passing targets, up from 14% the year before. This 4% increase may seem small, but in tight end terms, it represents a significant jump in volume that is not yet reflected in his TE19 ADP.
Q: Will the Ravens’ run‑heavy approach hurt Andrews’ fantasy value?
A: Not likely. While Baltimore remains a run-first team, the new scheme leverages that run threat to create play-action opportunities. The team’s red‑zone efficiency remains anchored by Andrews’ size and route‑running, making him the primary target when the run game is stuffed.
Q: Should owners draft Andrews earlier than TE19 in snake drafts?
A: Absolutely. Given his touchdown upside, improved YAC, and increased target share, reaching for him around TE12‑TE14 is a calculated risk that provides a massive return on investment if he finishes as a top-five tight end.
