Week 1 vs. Cleveland Browns
Mark Andrews had a breakout year in 2019, catching 64 balls for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns. He developed a fantastic rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson and can do everything from stretching the seam to finding gaps in the red zone and winning contested catches. Andrews was usually the third or fourth tight end off the board in drafts heading into the season, and the Ravens should once again feature him in the passing game.
It’s a nice start to the season for Andrews, who faces a Browns defense that ranked 28th in aFPA to opposing tight ends a year ago and has questions at both linebacker and safety, where they lost Joe Schobert in free agency and second-round rookie Grant Delpit to an injury. It may be a long season once again for the Browns covering the tight end position, and Andrews should benefit this week as a result. Start him in all formats.
Fantasy Upside
Mark Andrews followed up a promising rookie season with an excellent 2019, finishing with 64 catches, 852 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also led the team with 98 targets and had an excellent rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Andrews is an excellent seam-stretching tight end who can make catches all over the field and create mismatches. There’s no reason to suspect he’ll be less of a focal point for the offense this season, especially after the Ravens traded away former first-round pick Hayden Hurst.
Fantasy Downside
Durability may be a concern with Andrews. While he hasn’t really missed much time, he was a frequent visitor to the injury report all last season. If those nagging injuries become chronic, it may start to affect his production on the field. His touchdown totals may be unsustainable as well. T.J. Hernandez had him as a touchdown regression candidate due to his +5.1 differential from expected and actual receiving touchdowns.
2020 Bottom Line
Andrews will cost you, as he’s going in the late-third round of 12-team drafts, as the third tight end off the board. But he should be worth it due to his consistency and his steady role in a great offense. Even if the touchdown regression comes, he’s still likely to wind up with at least 100 targets in an explosive offense. Barring injury, he should be well worth his price tag and is one of just a handful of tight ends you can count on week to week
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mark Andrews had a fantastic game against the Browns last week, putting up 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns on six receptions. He’s been on fire with three touchdowns over his past two games and 10 on the season, and he’s been one of the best value-picks of the fantasy season. Andrews seems to be healthy heading into the playoffs and he’s been Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, leading the Ravens in every major receiving category.
This week, Andrews should be active if he’s starting, but fantasy owners should keep watch of his status. While he’s currently healthy, the Ravens may rest starters in a game that means nothing in the final standings, which could limit Andrews’ snaps. If there’s any question of his role in the game, owners should look elsewhere.
Week 16 at Cleveland Browns
Mark Andrews was questionable heading in to the Jets game last week, but he wound up starting and gained 52 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Andrews has been excellent this season with eight touchdowns and 759 yards. While he always seems to be on the verge of missing time with an injury, he’s ultimately played in every game for the Ravens this year and leads the team in virtually every major receiving category.
This week, Andrews faces a Browns defense that ranks 28th in aFPA to opposing tight ends this year, giving him tremendous upside in what should be a great matchup. Fantasy owners should keep him active in all league formats for the championship. He’s been a steal this year and he’s in a good position to finish the season strong.
Week 15 vs. New York Jets
Mark Andrews is dealing with a knee injury, making it risky to trust him this week against the Jets. He’s questionable, but it sounds like he’s practicing, so fantasy owners needing him should be sure to check the last-minute inactives and should be grabbing Nick Boyle as a last-second replacement option.
If you have other options, look elsewhere this week. It’s too hard to trust him to produce at less than 100% during the fantasy playoffs. That may not be an option in most leagues however with the dearth of talent at the tight end position. The Jets rank seventh in the NFL in aFPA to opposing tight ends this season, so it’s not even a great matchup. He’s too good to sit if he starts, but fantasy owners should be cautious.
Week 14 at Buffalo Bills
Mark Andrews has been on fire lately. He caught three balls for 50 yards and a touchdown against a tough 49ers defense last week and he now has four touchdowns in his last four games. Andrews leads the Ravens in every major receiving category and is clearly a focal point of the league’s top-scoring offense.
This week, Andrews faces a Bills defense that ranks fourth in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He should still be active in all leagues, however, after putting up good numbers against the top-ranked 49ers a week ago. With his steady stream of targets and ability to find the end zone lately, he’s a must-start regardless of matchup.
Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Mark Andrews was held to just two catches for 45 yards last week against the Rams. The Ravens have completely dismantled opponents over their last three outings and Andrews has scored three touchdowns in that span. While he was limited last week, he still leads the team in all major receiving categories, and is fifth in the league among tight ends in receiving yards. Andrews has been one of the best fantasy tight ends of the season, and one of the biggest bargains as well.
This week, Andrews has a tough matchup against the 49ers. No team ranks higher in aFPA to opposing tight ends this season than San Francisco. Andrews is still worth starting in most leagues due to the dearth of viable options at the position, but owners who drafted Andrews as their TE2 and have held on to the other option might look elsewhere if possible for this difficult matchup.
Week 12 at Los Angeles Rams
Mark Andrews had a great game last week against the Texans, catching four balls for 75 yards and a touchdown in a lopsided victory. Andrews has scored three touchdowns of his last two games and he leads the team with 48 receptions on 70 targets and 598 receiving yards this season.
This week, Andrews is a must-start as the primary receiving weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson in an offense that leads the league in points scored per game. The Rams rank 21st in aFPA to opposing tight ends and with cornerback Jalen Ramsey lurking on the outside, the Ravens may be forced to lean on their talented second-year tight end even more than usual. We have Andrews as a top-five option this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
After a couple of disappointing games, Mark Andrews was great against the Bengals last week. He caught six of the eight balls thrown his way for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Ravens beat the snot out of the Bengals, 49-13. Andrews leads the team in every major receiving category and has developed an excellent rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s currently on pace for nearly 930 yards and nine touchdowns.
This week, Andrews faces a Texans’ defense that actually ranks first in the league in aFPA to opposing tight ends, which gives a little pause, but should be too much of an issue overall. Andrews should still lead the team in targets, giving him a high enough floor to be worth starting in all leagues despite the unfavorable matchup.
Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals
Mark Andrews had only two catches and 21 yards last week against the Patriots and was only in on limited snaps for the game. Andrews is still the most talented option at the position for the Ravens, however, and he’s been targeted at least seven times in all but one game this season.
The Bengals are actually tied for fifth in the NFL in aFPA to opposing tight ends, so the matchup doesn’t look great on paper. However, Cincinnati has struggled all year and are 24th in points allowed to opposing teams. The Ravens should have no trouble scoring against them, and Andrews leads the team in targets. Start him.
