Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Mark Andrews caught five balls for 67 yards last week and he led the Ravens with eight targets. Andrews is second on the team in receptions and third in targets and receiving yards, so he continues to be a significant part of the offense. Without a touchdown yet this year, he’s due, and fantasy managers need him to get in there.
This week, he’ll face a Colts defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. With his target share and a nice matchup on the docket, Andrews should be considered an excellent fantasy option this week, and we have him ranked in our top-five. Start him.
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Mark Andrews didn’t find the end zone last week, but he caught five of seven targets for 109 yards in a nice fantasy outing. Andrews should have better luck finding the end zone as the season continues, but it’s good to see his targets go up a little, even in a surprising slogfest against the Lions.
This week, Andrews faces a Broncos defense that ranks sixth in aFPA to opposing tight ends so far this season. Despite the tough matchup, it’s hard to recommend sitting him when there are so few tight ends who command a significant percentage of their team’s targets. We have him ranked as a fringe top-five option, and he’s a must-start regardless of matchup.
Week 3 at Detroit Lions
Mark Andrews hasn’t found the end zone yet this year, but he did have five catches for 57 yards last week against the Chiefs. Andrews will continue to be a little touchdown-dependent in this run-first offense, but he gets enough targets and finds the end zone often enough to make him a must-start in most leagues.
This week, Andrews has a nice matchup against the Lions, who were middle-of-the-road last season against the tight end position, although they gave up a touchdown to Robert Tonyan last week. Andrews is one of the few tight ends with a legit chance at leading his team in targets and finding the end zone each week, so he’s a must-start. We have him as a top-five option this week against the Lions.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mark Andrews had a terrible start to the season with three catches on five targets for 20 yards against the Raiders on Monday night. He was pretty touchdown-dependent last season, and that may be the case again this year, but he should still be considered one of the premier second-tier options at the position.
This week, Andrews has a nice matchup against the Chiefs, who ranked 27th in aFPA to opposing tight ends a year ago, and allowed a total of seven catches and 120 yards to the Browns’ trio of tight ends in Week 1. Let’s hope he gets on track in what should be a fun game to watch, and fantasy managers should have him active in all league formats.
Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders
Mark Andrews was tied for the team-high with 58 receptions last season. He gained 701 yards, scored seven touchdowns, and ended up as the TE5 in fantasy and the most steady fantasy option in the Baltimore passing game.
While the Raiders struggled defensively last year, they were actually middling against the tight end, ranking 16th in aFPA to the position. Andrews is worth starting in any matchup though, given his status as Lamar Jackson’s favorite target and his propensity to find the end zone. Consider him a solid TE1 option in all formats to open the 2021 season.
Fantasy Upside
Mark Andrews was a bit inconsistent last season, but he still ended up with 58 catches on 88 targets for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. Those are dynamite numbers at the barren wasteland that is the tight end position in fantasy. Andrews now has two straight seasons with TE1 production and seems to have a wonderful rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have talked about opening up the passing game, and Andrews would benefit if they emerged out of the cellar in pass attempts.
Fantasy Downside
The Ravens added receivers in the first and fourth rounds of the draft, as well as bringing in Sammy Watkins in free agency, so Andrews may not be fed quite as much. If the Ravens don’t open up the offense and continue to troll the bottom of the league in pass attempts, that’s not a big piece of pie Andrews will need to share with suddenly more mouths. Andrews also seems to be nicked up regularly. Even though he plays more often than not, he’s missed three games in the past two years and been on the injury report with thigh and ankle injuries and is a Type 1 diabetic – though that hasn’t seemed to affect him thus far.
2021 Bottom Line
Andrews is definitely in that second tier of tight ends behind the big three, and squarely in the same conversation with T.J. Hockenson and Kyle Pitts for the next one off the board. If you can grab him in the fifth round, he’s worth considering to shore up one of the scarcest positions in fantasy, a departure from traditional routes where I would’ve recommended avoiding the position in the middle rounds. Andrews’ two years of productive play make him safer than Hockenson and especially Pitts. He’s priced just about right as the TE5.
Week 17 at Cincinnati Bengals
Mark Andrews caught six balls for 76 yards against the Giants last week. He was also targeted a season-high 11 times. Andrews leads the team in receptions (54) and touchdown passes (7) on the year, and is the primary cog in the Ravens’ limited pass attack. He has five straight games with double-digit PPR points and has a touchdown in two of his last four outings.
This week, Andrews faces a Bengals defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Great matchup, team playing to confirm their playoff spot, Andrews has been a beast: sounds like all the boxes are checked. Start him as one of the elite fantasy options at the position this week.
Week 16 vs. New York Giants
Mark Andrews caught all five balls thrown his way last week, gaining 66 yards and a touchdown in a blowout victory over the Jaguars. Andrews now has double-digit PPR points in each of his past four games and leads the Ravens with seven receiving touchdowns.
This week, Andrews should be targeted heavily again, and facing the Giants’ 18th-ranked defense in aFPA to opposing tight ends, he should be able to produce. Andrews has steadied his production after some large variance early in the season, and with the Ravens jockeying for playoff positioning, they’ll need their weapons. Keep Andrews active in all league formats.
Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark Andrews returned to action against the Browns on Monday night and caught five of six passes for 78 yards. Andrews is averaging six targets per game this year and has six touchdowns in 11 games of action. He’s been uneven, but he’s still been better than most tight ends with a dearth of consistent production at the position across the league.
This week, Andrews faces a Jaguars defense that ranks 16th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. It should be a nice outing for Andrews, who continues to be the lead option in the Ravens’ passing game. He should be active in all leagues.
Week 14 at Cleveland Browns
Mark Andrews was just activated from the COVID list. It’s scary to use him after the ambiguity that has surrounded the Ravens, but he’s a must-start when healthy, particularly at a position that has been wildly inconsistent all season. The Browns rank 26th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, making Andrews a high-upside option in a good matchup. Watch his status closely, and make sure you have a solid backup plan available, but he’s good to go, use him across all league formats.
