Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mark Andrews went into last week questionable with a knee issue, but suited up anyway. I’m not sure how much the injury played a role – he was on the field for 88% of the team’s offensive snaps – but he was limited to zero catches and one carry for four yards. It was a brutal fantasy outing for one of the top-two tight ends in the league, and it’s concerning that he’s a question mark once again going into Thursday’s tilt.
This week, Andrews faces a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 21st in aFPA to opposing tight ends. It’s scary to trust him after Sunday, even if he is active, but he should still be in your lineup if he plays. Andrews is simple too good to avoid if he suits up. Be ready with a backup plan – Isaiah Likely maybe? – in case he’s a late scratch, but otherwise, keep him active in a nice matchup.
Week 7 vs. Cleveland Browns
Mark Andrews had a great game against the Giants last week, catching seven balls for 106 yards and a touchdown. He now has five touchdowns this season, and double-digit targets in four of his six games. He’s the focal point of the Ravens offense and is one of only two truly consistent and elite fantasy tight ends in the game.
This week, keep Andrews active against the Browns. Cleveland ranks 18th in aFPA to opposing tight ends and just gave up a touchdown to Hunter Henry last week. Andrews is a no-brainer for as long as he’s healthy, so make sure he’s still in your lineup heading into Week 7.
Update: Keep an eye on Andrews' status, as he's missed practice this week with a knee issue. Be sure to be ready with a replacement - like Isaiah Likely - in case he's a late scratch this weekend.
Week 6 at New York Giants
After a down Week 4, Mark Andrews got back to his usual production against the Bengals on Sunday night, catching eight of his 10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. Andrews now has four touchdowns on the year and 32 receptions. He’s on pace for 1,187 yards, making him well worth his lofty August draft cost.
Fire Andrews up again this week in a nice matchup against the Giants, who rank 23rd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Andrews is great no matter who he’s playing against and expect another busy day him. If you’re lucky enough to have him on your roster, don’t even think about sitting him.
Week 5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
After a great start to the season, Mark Andrews struggled along with the rest of the Baltimore passing game and wound up with just two catches on five targets for 15 yards in a loss to the Bills last week. Andrews is still arguably the best fantasy tight end in football, and should rebound soon.
This week, Andrews faces a Bengals defense that ranks 17th in aFPA to opposing tight ends so far this season. Expect a bounce-back game from Andrews and the Baltimore offense in general, and keep Andrews active in all leagues. We have him ranked as an elite option, and he’s a must-start every week.
Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Mark Andrews caught eight of a ridiculous 13 targets last week against the Patriots and wound up with 89 yards and two touchdowns. The passing offense in Baltimore is primary driven through Andrews and expect the plethora of targets to continue for the fifth-year star out of Oklahoma.
This week, fire Andrews up again versus the Buffalo Bills. The Bills held Mike Gesicki in check last week and contained Austin Hooper and Tyler Higbee in the previous games, but Andrews will be their first true test at the position. He’s such a talent, he’s an automatic start regardless of matchup.
Week 3 at New England Patriots
Mark Andrews had a great game against the Dolphins last week, catching nine of his 11 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown. Andrews leads the Ravens in targets and seems to be picking up right where he left off last year. With Lamar Jackson playing like a Pro Bowler so far – seven total touchdowns in two weeks – expect Andrews to continue to thrive.
This week, he’s got a tough matchup against the Patriots, who held Dolphins tight ends to just two catches and 15 yards in Week 1, and then limited Pat Freiermuth to 22 yards on four catches last week, although Freiermuth did find the end zone. Still, Andrews is in another stratosphere as a fantasy tight end, and managers shouldn’t hesitate to keep him active. Start him every week.
Week 2 vs. Miami Dolphins
Mark Andrews didn’t find the end zone last week against the Jets, but he led the team with seven targets, catching five of them for 52 yards. Those are modest totals for an elite fantasy tight end, but still indicative of his role in the offense. Andrews should continue to see the most targets for the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson having a tremendous amount of trust in his fifth-year tight end.
This week, Andrews faces a tough Dolphins defense that held Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith to a total of five catches and 53 yards last week. Still, Andrews is so good, he’s essentially matchup proof. He caught six balls for 63 yards and a touchdown when he faced Miami last season, and he should be in for a busy day once again. Start him.
Week 1 at New York Jets
Mark Andrews is coming off a monster year in 2021, catching 107 of a ridiculous 153 targets for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns. Andrews is one of the best in the game and is the primary option for quarterback Lamar Jackson. He has 29 touchdowns in his four seasons, 26 of which in the last three years.
The Ravens will kick off the season against the Jets, who ranked dead last in aFPA to opposing tight ends last season. Andrews should continue to be heavily featured in the Baltimore passing attack, and is virtually matchup proof. Against the Jets, we have him ranked as the very top fantasy option at his position. Set him in your starting lineup and just leave him there all season.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Mark Andrews has always been good but he was unstoppable last year. Fantasy’s TE1, he finished 2021 with nine touchdowns and 1,361 yards on 107 receptions. He was the primary cog in the offense during a season where the Ravens were decimated by injuries. With Lamar Jackson back under center, the offense should improve – 17th in points scored last year after ranking seventh in 2020 – which means those nine touchdowns could actually increase in 2022. Also, with Marquise Brown in Arizona, there are plenty of vacated targets to go around.
2022 Fantasy Downside
The only real downside for Andrews is regression from a career year and the premium cost it will take to draft him. It seems difficult to imagine repeating the year he had in 2021, particularly with how much separation he had from the rest of the tight ends not named Kelce in fantasy points. Having Andrews or Kelce gave you a huge advantage at the position last year. Having anyone else, not so much. His ADP is in the middle of the second round right now, so you’ll pay for him if you want him. To justify that, he’ll need to heavily outscore the tight ends going in the third and fourth rounds, which might be a lofty expectation.
2022 Bottom Line
Andrews has a high floor and should be a dynamite fantasy option once again. He’s one of the few “set it and forget it” options at the position and there’s no doubt the passing game will continue to run through him. He’ll cost a pretty penny and I often advocate for a patient approach to the tight end position, but fantasy managers who take the plunge will have an advantage at the position if they decide to invest.
Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Mark Andrews has been a straight-up monster over the second half of the season. He has five touchdowns over his past five games and has double-digit targets in six of his past eight. Most encouraging, it appears Andrews is quarterback-proof, producing not only with Lamar Jackson, but also with Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson.
This week, Andrews faces a Rams defense that ranks 17th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He’s so good, fantasy managers need to just continue to ride with him and hope the production continues. Expect another heavy dose of targets to come his way, and we have him once again ranked as an elite fantasy option.
