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The Baltimore Ravens enter training camp with a familiar name leading the tight end room and several new questions forming behind him.
Mark Andrews remains the standard. He is one of the most accomplished players on the roster, one of Lamar Jackson’s most trusted targets, and one of the defining offensive pieces of Baltimore’s modern era. As long as Andrews is healthy and available, he gives the Ravens a proven difference-maker at a position that has long been central to their offensive identity.
The intrigue begins after that.
Durham Smythe brings veteran experience and blocking value. Ty Pezza enters camp as an undrafted rookie with an unusual tight end/wide receiver profile. Matt Hibner gives Baltimore another rookie with size and developmental appeal. Josh Cuevas brings youth, athleticism, and another option for the coaching staff to evaluate.
The Ravens do not need every tight end behind Andrews to become a major weapon. They need defined roles. They need dependable blocking, special teams value, red-zone potential, and at least one depth option who can be trusted if the season forces him into meaningful snaps.
That makes tight end one of Baltimore’s more interesting training camp position previews.
Mark Andrews enters training camp as the unquestioned leader of Baltimore’s tight end room.
At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Andrews remains one of the NFL’s most productive and reliable tight ends when healthy. His chemistry with Lamar Jackson is already established, and that matters in an offense entering another important season under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Andrews gives the Ravens a target who can win in the middle of the field, create leverage against linebackers and safeties, and serve as a trusted option on third down and in the red zone. He also gives Jackson something every quarterback values: a pass catcher who understands timing, spacing, and scramble-drill situations.
This camp is not about Andrews proving he belongs. He has already done that many times over. The more important question is how Baltimore manages Andrew's workload, how he fits into Doyle’s offensive structure, and whether the Ravens can develop enough depth behind him to avoid overextending him during a long season.
Andrews is the headliner. Everyone else is competing to define the rest of the room.
Durham Smythe gives the Ravens a veteran tight end who understands the less glamorous parts of the position.
At 6-foot-4 and 248 pounds, Smythe is entering his ninth NFL season and brings the kind of experience coaches value. He has been around enough offensive systems to understand assignments, spacing, protections, and the blocking requirements that come with playing tight end at the professional level.
That could be important in Baltimore.
The Ravens have a superstar quarterback, a physical running game, and an offense that should still value heavier personnel packages. Smythe’s path to a role likely begins with blocking, reliability, and situational football. He does not need to become one of Jackson’s top targets to matter. He needs to be trusted.
Veteran tight ends often make rosters because they help offenses stay functional. Smythe has a chance to do that for Baltimore if he proves he can still handle the physical demands of the position while contributing on special teams and in short-yardage packages.
Ty Pezza may be one of the more interesting long-shot names in Baltimore’s tight end room.
The undrafted rookie out of Brown is listed at 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, and his tight end/wide receiver background gives him a different profile from some of the more traditional in-line options. That versatility can help a young player get noticed during camp, especially if he shows he can separate, catch the football cleanly, and handle multiple alignments.
The challenge for Pezza will be physicality.
At tight end, the Ravens will need to see whether he can hold up as a blocker, contribute on special teams, and adjust to the speed of NFL defenders. Players making the jump from the Ivy League to the NFL often need developmental time, and Pezza’s best path may begin with proving he is worth keeping around for future growth.
Still, there is intrigue here. If Pezza flashes as a receiving option and shows enough toughness to handle tight end responsibilities, he could make himself a strong practice squad candidate and a player worth tracking beyond camp.
Matt Hibner gives Baltimore another rookie tight end with the size to interest coaches.
At 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, the former SMU tight end has the frame to compete for a more traditional role. For players like Hibner, training camp is about proving they can handle the full job description. Tight ends cannot merely catch passes during individual drills. They must block defensive ends, chip edge rushers, contribute on special teams, understand route adjustments, and avoid assignment mistakes.
That learning curve can be steep.
Hibner’s path will depend on how quickly he earns trust. If he shows he can block with effort, process the offense, and make plays when opportunities arrive, he can stay in the conversation. The Ravens do not have a large tight end group, which means every rep could matter.
Hibner does not need to be polished immediately. He needs to show enough growth to convince Baltimore he is worth developing.
Josh Cuevas enters training camp as another rookie tight end with a chance to make noise.
At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, the Alabama product brings a sturdy frame and enough athletic ability to compete for a developmental role. Cuevas will have to prove he can play fast while learning the details of Baltimore’s offense. That means aligning correctly, finishing blocks, catching the ball consistently, and showing special teams value.
His situation is similar to that of the other young tight ends in the room. The Ravens are not asking him to become Andrews overnight. They are evaluating whether he can become a reliable depth piece, a future contributor, or someone who gives the offense a different look in certain packages.
Cuevas’ camp could become interesting if he flashes early. Young tight ends who can block, run, and contribute on special teams tend to earn longer looks.
His goal is simple: make the coaching staff keep watching.
The Ravens’ biggest tight end question is not about the top of the depth chart. Mark Andrews remains the clear leader.
The real question is how Baltimore builds the room behind him.
Smythe offers veteran dependability and blocking ability. Pezza brings receiving intrigue and positional versatility. Hibner has size and developmental appeal. Cuevas gives the Ravens another young option with athletic traits. Each player has a different path to a role, which makes the camp competition worth watching closely.
Baltimore’s offense has enough established firepower to enter the season with championship expectations. Jackson remains the engine. Derrick Henry gives the run game power. Zay Flowers leads the wide receiver room. Andrews remains one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
Still, depth matters.
The Ravens will need tight ends who can help protect Jackson, support the running game, contribute on special teams, and provide insurance if injuries strike. That is why the competition behind Andrews carries real weight. If Smythe settles in as a dependable veteran No. 2 and one of the young tight ends shows developmental promise, Baltimore can feel good about the position entering the regular season. If the younger players struggle to separate, the Ravens may have to keep evaluating the market or shuffle the back end of the depth chart.
Training camp will begin providing those answers. For now, the tight end room has a clear star, one proven veteran addition, and three young players trying to prove they belong. That combination gives Baltimore enough intrigue to make the position worth watching from the first practice through the final preseason game.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens training camp preview: Mark Andrews leads revamped TE room
Continue reading...
Mark Andrews remains the standard. He is one of the most accomplished players on the roster, one of Lamar Jackson’s most trusted targets, and one of the defining offensive pieces of Baltimore’s modern era. As long as Andrews is healthy and available, he gives the Ravens a proven difference-maker at a position that has long been central to their offensive identity.
The intrigue begins after that.
Durham Smythe brings veteran experience and blocking value. Ty Pezza enters camp as an undrafted rookie with an unusual tight end/wide receiver profile. Matt Hibner gives Baltimore another rookie with size and developmental appeal. Josh Cuevas brings youth, athleticism, and another option for the coaching staff to evaluate.
The Ravens do not need every tight end behind Andrews to become a major weapon. They need defined roles. They need dependable blocking, special teams value, red-zone potential, and at least one depth option who can be trusted if the season forces him into meaningful snaps.
That makes tight end one of Baltimore’s more interesting training camp position previews.
Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews enters training camp as the unquestioned leader of Baltimore’s tight end room.
At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Andrews remains one of the NFL’s most productive and reliable tight ends when healthy. His chemistry with Lamar Jackson is already established, and that matters in an offense entering another important season under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Andrews gives the Ravens a target who can win in the middle of the field, create leverage against linebackers and safeties, and serve as a trusted option on third down and in the red zone. He also gives Jackson something every quarterback values: a pass catcher who understands timing, spacing, and scramble-drill situations.
This camp is not about Andrews proving he belongs. He has already done that many times over. The more important question is how Baltimore manages Andrew's workload, how he fits into Doyle’s offensive structure, and whether the Ravens can develop enough depth behind him to avoid overextending him during a long season.
Andrews is the headliner. Everyone else is competing to define the rest of the room.
Durham Smythe
Durham Smythe gives the Ravens a veteran tight end who understands the less glamorous parts of the position.
At 6-foot-4 and 248 pounds, Smythe is entering his ninth NFL season and brings the kind of experience coaches value. He has been around enough offensive systems to understand assignments, spacing, protections, and the blocking requirements that come with playing tight end at the professional level.
That could be important in Baltimore.
The Ravens have a superstar quarterback, a physical running game, and an offense that should still value heavier personnel packages. Smythe’s path to a role likely begins with blocking, reliability, and situational football. He does not need to become one of Jackson’s top targets to matter. He needs to be trusted.
Veteran tight ends often make rosters because they help offenses stay functional. Smythe has a chance to do that for Baltimore if he proves he can still handle the physical demands of the position while contributing on special teams and in short-yardage packages.
Ty Pezza
Ty Pezza may be one of the more interesting long-shot names in Baltimore’s tight end room.
The undrafted rookie out of Brown is listed at 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, and his tight end/wide receiver background gives him a different profile from some of the more traditional in-line options. That versatility can help a young player get noticed during camp, especially if he shows he can separate, catch the football cleanly, and handle multiple alignments.
The challenge for Pezza will be physicality.
At tight end, the Ravens will need to see whether he can hold up as a blocker, contribute on special teams, and adjust to the speed of NFL defenders. Players making the jump from the Ivy League to the NFL often need developmental time, and Pezza’s best path may begin with proving he is worth keeping around for future growth.
Still, there is intrigue here. If Pezza flashes as a receiving option and shows enough toughness to handle tight end responsibilities, he could make himself a strong practice squad candidate and a player worth tracking beyond camp.
Matt Hibner
Matt Hibner gives Baltimore another rookie tight end with the size to interest coaches.
At 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, the former SMU tight end has the frame to compete for a more traditional role. For players like Hibner, training camp is about proving they can handle the full job description. Tight ends cannot merely catch passes during individual drills. They must block defensive ends, chip edge rushers, contribute on special teams, understand route adjustments, and avoid assignment mistakes.
That learning curve can be steep.
Hibner’s path will depend on how quickly he earns trust. If he shows he can block with effort, process the offense, and make plays when opportunities arrive, he can stay in the conversation. The Ravens do not have a large tight end group, which means every rep could matter.
Hibner does not need to be polished immediately. He needs to show enough growth to convince Baltimore he is worth developing.
Josh Cuevas
Josh Cuevas enters training camp as another rookie tight end with a chance to make noise.
At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, the Alabama product brings a sturdy frame and enough athletic ability to compete for a developmental role. Cuevas will have to prove he can play fast while learning the details of Baltimore’s offense. That means aligning correctly, finishing blocks, catching the ball consistently, and showing special teams value.
His situation is similar to that of the other young tight ends in the room. The Ravens are not asking him to become Andrews overnight. They are evaluating whether he can become a reliable depth piece, a future contributor, or someone who gives the offense a different look in certain packages.
Cuevas’ camp could become interesting if he flashes early. Young tight ends who can block, run, and contribute on special teams tend to earn longer looks.
His goal is simple: make the coaching staff keep watching.
Biggest question
The Ravens’ biggest tight end question is not about the top of the depth chart. Mark Andrews remains the clear leader.
The real question is how Baltimore builds the room behind him.
Smythe offers veteran dependability and blocking ability. Pezza brings receiving intrigue and positional versatility. Hibner has size and developmental appeal. Cuevas gives the Ravens another young option with athletic traits. Each player has a different path to a role, which makes the camp competition worth watching closely.
Baltimore’s offense has enough established firepower to enter the season with championship expectations. Jackson remains the engine. Derrick Henry gives the run game power. Zay Flowers leads the wide receiver room. Andrews remains one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
Still, depth matters.
The Ravens will need tight ends who can help protect Jackson, support the running game, contribute on special teams, and provide insurance if injuries strike. That is why the competition behind Andrews carries real weight. If Smythe settles in as a dependable veteran No. 2 and one of the young tight ends shows developmental promise, Baltimore can feel good about the position entering the regular season. If the younger players struggle to separate, the Ravens may have to keep evaluating the market or shuffle the back end of the depth chart.
Training camp will begin providing those answers. For now, the tight end room has a clear star, one proven veteran addition, and three young players trying to prove they belong. That combination gives Baltimore enough intrigue to make the position worth watching from the first practice through the final preseason game.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens training camp preview: Mark Andrews leads revamped TE room
Continue reading...
