Week 1 vs. Houston Texans
Mark Andrews is practicing in a limited capacity leading up to his Week 1 tilt against the Texans, so be sure to monitor the injury report carefully and be ready with a backup option in case he’s a late scratch. As long as he’s active, he should be one of the best fantasy options at the tight end position. Andrews managed 73 catches and 847 yards last season despite missing two games and dealing with injuries at the quarterback position. He’s about as reliable as it gets.
The Texans were 17th in aFPA to opposing tight ends last year, so it’s a good matchup for him. Having quarterback Lamar Jackson healthy and happy after signing a lucrative new contract means all systems are a go in Baltimore. If Andrews is active, he should be in your lineup.
Update: Andrews is not expected to play, so be sure to get him out of lineups and if you can pivot to Isaiah Likely, that's not a bad way to go.
Fantasy Upside
Mark Andrews had a slightly down year in 2022, but still finished as the fantasy TE4. His five touchdowns were the fewest he’s had since his rookie season. However, he spent a good portion of the year with questionable quarterback play, and Lamar Jackson is entering 2023 with a clean bill of health and a new contract. New offensive coordinator Todd Monken is expected to bring more volume to the passing attack than his predecessor did, and as Jackson’s favorite target, Andrews should benefit greatly.
Fantasy Downside
There really isn’t a downside to drafting Andrews. He hasn’t missed more than two games in any one season and even in a bad year, he was head and shoulders above most of the other players at his position. I suppose better receiving options around him could limit his targets, but that’s a stretch, given his talent and rapport with Jackson.
2023 Bottom Line
Andrews is one of the best in the league and he should find the end zone more frequently with a better, healthier offense around him. Andrews isn’t cheap as an early-third round pick, but he’s worth considering at cost given his steady production. He’s ranked as our clear TE2 heading into 2023.
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mark Andrews had another middling performance last week against the Falcons, catching three of his five targets for 45 yards. Andrews is getting targets, but he hasn’t found the end zone since mid-October and the Baltimore offense has struggled all season - and especially with Tyler Huntley under center.
Andrews has a nice matchup this week against the Steelers, who rank 22nd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. His performances over the past couple of months are concerning, but with limited options at the position, Andrews is still worth starting in all leagues. At least he’s getting targets.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Mark Andrews put together another disappointing performance last week against the Browns, catching just three balls for 31 yards. His seven targets are still encouraging, but the production simply hasn’t been there since he got hurt mid-season. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since October 16th and has only eclipsed 60 yards once since then.
This week, Andrews will try to get back on track against a Falcons defense that ranks 29th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. The good news for fantasy managers is that tight ends is such a wasteland that Andrews is still ranked second among fantasy tight ends this season. He’s a must-start, as always, and cross your fingers he can find the end zone again.
Week 15 at Cleveland Browns
Mark Andrews has really struggled since getting hurt mid-season. After five touchdowns in his first seven games, he hasn’t scored once in his past six. He really struggled last week, as Tyler Huntley was hurt and the Ravens were down to their third-string quarterback. Andrews finished with just two catches for 17 yards.
On the bright side, Andrews still has at least six targets in four straight games and things seem to be trending up for Huntley playing this weekend. Regardless of who’s taking snaps, however, Andrews is still a must-start in the barren wasteland that is the tight end position in fantasy. Hope for the best and leave him active against a Browns defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing tight ends.
Week 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Mark Andrews has been pretty quiet - by his standards - since his injury woes a few weeks ago, but he’s put together consecutive games with four catches and at least 50 yards, including 4/53 last week against the Broncos. Those count as quality outings in the barren wasteland that is the tight end position in fantasy football. Andrews had no trouble producing last year with Tyler Huntley behind center, so the quarterback chance shouldn’t be a problem for him.
This week, Andrews faces a Steelers defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Andrews is a must-start regardless of matchup. While it’s disappointing his weeks have been pedestrian as of late, his target share should lead to productivity at some point. With the dearth of options at the position, we continue to have him ranked as an elite option.
Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos
Mark Andrews caught four passes for 50 yards last week against the Jaguars. It sucked to see Josh Oliver make big plays and score the team’s only receiving touchdown, but Andrews still led the team in targets and Oliver’s production is probably more about the dearth of receiving options in Baltimore and less about Andrews’ role.
The Broncos are above average against the tight end position, ranking 13th in aFPA. However, they rank much higher against the other position groups, so the tight end is the best way to attack them. Luckily for the Ravens, Andrews is the best way to attack most defenses, and his role and talent make him a must-start this week regardless of the matchup.
Week 12 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark Andrews didn’t find the end zone last week, but it was good to see him back healthy and with a primary role in the passing game again. He finished the low-scoring victory with six catches on eight targets for 63 yards.
The only position the Jaguars have been tough on this season is tight end. While they’re giving up big numbers to all the other primary fantasy spots, they rank eighth in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Andrews should be matchup proof as long as he remains in the lineup, however, and fantasy managers should keep him active in all leagues as an elite option once again.
Week 11 vs. Carolina Panthers
Mark Andrews missed the game against the Saints before the bye last week, but he was a late scratch and coming off a bye, it’s expected he’ll suit up this week. Andrews still leads the Ravens in every major receiving category, despite being hobbled or out for the past three games, so assuming he returns, it’s expected he’ll pick up right where he left off.
Andrews returns to face a Panthers defense that ranks 14th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. With Andrews, the health question is the only one that matters, however, as he’s matchup-proof when healthy. As long as he’s good to go, start him in all leagues.
Week 9 at New Orleans Saints
Mark Andrews left last week’s game against the Buccaneers with a shoulder and ankle injuries after coming in with knee soreness. He had three catches for 55 yards, but it’s concerning to see him struggling so much with health at the moment. He’s barely been practicing the past two weeks, and the fantasy production hasn’t been there as a result. With a Monday night game on the slate, fantasy managers should pick up Isaiah Likely or Juwan Johnson as an emergency option in case Andrews can’t go. If he starts, I’m keeping him active based on the dearth of viable tight end options and Andrews’ lofty ceiling. But if you have a safe option going on Sunday, that might be best this week. Tread carefully.
