TE Mark Andrews, BAL (3 Viewers)

[menobrown]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

 

[menobrown]

Maybe a minority opinion, but I think Andrews is still a top 5 NFL TE. He looked like his old self once he got over his car accident injury. His bad game in the playoffs was unfortunate, but man, I'd much rather have 29-year-old Andrews, than 21/22 year old Arroyo or Taylor in the draft. Its more likely than not, those guys are never as good as Andrews is right now.

I will actually predict that TE's will dominate the veteran trade market during and after the draft. Feel like some teams are on hold seeing how the draft falls to them but Mayer, Goedert and a Raven all seem possible to likely.

I could see this as well. Personally, I think Mayer is overrated and would take guys like Arroyo or Ferguson over him, but Goedert and especially Andrews feel well above your non-Warren/Loveland prospects.

I would guess the price tag is roughly:
Andrews/3rd rounder
Goedert/4th rounder
Mayer/5th rounder

How about 22 for 27 and Andrews? The value chart delta between 22 and 27 is 100 points, roughly equivalent to an end of 3rd round pick.

I think that's tougher than the trade chart says, just because the difference is 2 top 100 players vs 1 for the Ravens. Maybe if there was a guy they REALLY wanted at #22 who they didn't think would make it to #27, but in this draft that feels less valuable than the 3rd rounder to me. Possible though.

I kind of had the same reaction. As a Chargers fan, I would rather have 27 and Andrews. Then again, given his age and salary level, I'm not sure if a 3rd is right. I had been thinking it would take a 4th.

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews. Especially in THIS draft where - from everything I've read - there are about 13 "1st round" picks and about 60 "2nd round" grades. Someone would REALLY have to fall for them to do that. I think they'd rather trade him for a 3rd or 4th straight-up.

Again, I'm terrible at predicting this kind of stuff. I don't want Andrews to go anywhere. He's one of the best players the Baltimore Ravens have ever had. I'm just thinking there's a salary crunch coming here.

Just to throw it out there, am I the only one whom thinks Andrews is still clearly better than Likely?

Like I think Andrews is a much better route runner, much better blocker, and typically has better hands (though Andrews had some yips last year) Likely is really only better at run after catch in my eyes.

Like, I think the offense would miss Andrews a ton. Though I do wonder if they traded Andrews, if they might run a lot more 3-WR sets, and possibly draft a WR early.

Oh, definitely they'd miss him. He allows Baltimore to do a lot of different things. Even when he was struggling early last season, opposing teams were still accounting for him.

Plus, he and Lamar Jackson are really good friends. I don't know how much, if at all, that'll play into this.

I don't think they'd miss him, not in the sense he would create some hole, gap or need. He's been unavailable or not overly productive for the last 1.5 seasons and they've not skipped a beat.

He was 4th in the NFL (1st at TE) in TD catches last season. I mean, that's pretty productive.

39 yards a game is not and that's more of a measure to me.

 

[travdogg]

Maybe a minority opinion, but I think Andrews is still a top 5 NFL TE. He looked like his old self once he got over his car accident injury. His bad game in the playoffs was unfortunate, but man, I'd much rather have 29-year-old Andrews, than 21/22 year old Arroyo or Taylor in the draft. Its more likely than not, those guys are never as good as Andrews is right now.

I will actually predict that TE's will dominate the veteran trade market during and after the draft. Feel like some teams are on hold seeing how the draft falls to them but Mayer, Goedert and a Raven all seem possible to likely.

I could see this as well. Personally, I think Mayer is overrated and would take guys like Arroyo or Ferguson over him, but Goedert and especially Andrews feel well above your non-Warren/Loveland prospects.

I would guess the price tag is roughly:
Andrews/3rd rounder
Goedert/4th rounder
Mayer/5th rounder

How about 22 for 27 and Andrews? The value chart delta between 22 and 27 is 100 points, roughly equivalent to an end of 3rd round pick.

I think that's tougher than the trade chart says, just because the difference is 2 top 100 players vs 1 for the Ravens. Maybe if there was a guy they REALLY wanted at #22 who they didn't think would make it to #27, but in this draft that feels less valuable than the 3rd rounder to me. Possible though.

I kind of had the same reaction. As a Chargers fan, I would rather have 27 and Andrews. Then again, given his age and salary level, I'm not sure if a 3rd is right. I had been thinking it would take a 4th.

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews. Especially in THIS draft where - from everything I've read - there are about 13 "1st round" picks and about 60 "2nd round" grades. Someone would REALLY have to fall for them to do that. I think they'd rather trade him for a 3rd or 4th straight-up.

Again, I'm terrible at predicting this kind of stuff. I don't want Andrews to go anywhere. He's one of the best players the Baltimore Ravens have ever had. I'm just thinking there's a salary crunch coming here.

Just to throw it out there, am I the only one whom thinks Andrews is still clearly better than Likely?

Like I think Andrews is a much better route runner, much better blocker, and typically has better hands (though Andrews had some yips last year) Likely is really only better at run after catch in my eyes.

Like, I think the offense would miss Andrews a ton. Though I do wonder if they traded Andrews, if they might run a lot more 3-WR sets, and possibly draft a WR early.

Oh, definitely they'd miss him. He allows Baltimore to do a lot of different things. Even when he was struggling early last season, opposing teams were still accounting for him.

Plus, he and Lamar Jackson are really good friends. I don't know how much, if at all, that'll play into this.

I don't think they'd miss him, not in the sense he would create some hole, gap or need. He's been unavailable or not overly productive for the last 1.5 seasons and they've not skipped a beat.

He was 4th in the NFL (1st at TE) in TD catches last season. I mean, that's pretty productive.

39 yards a game is not and that's more of a measure to me.

I get that. I will say if you get rid of that 1st month where he didn't look healthy, it jumps to 47 yards per game.

55-673-11 becomes a pace of 64-795-14.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

64-795-14.

That's what opposing teams were defending against.

 

[menobrown]

Maybe a minority opinion, but I think Andrews is still a top 5 NFL TE. He looked like his old self once he got over his car accident injury. His bad game in the playoffs was unfortunate, but man, I'd much rather have 29-year-old Andrews, than 21/22 year old Arroyo or Taylor in the draft. Its more likely than not, those guys are never as good as Andrews is right now.

I will actually predict that TE's will dominate the veteran trade market during and after the draft. Feel like some teams are on hold seeing how the draft falls to them but Mayer, Goedert and a Raven all seem possible to likely.

I could see this as well. Personally, I think Mayer is overrated and would take guys like Arroyo or Ferguson over him, but Goedert and especially Andrews feel well above your non-Warren/Loveland prospects.

I would guess the price tag is roughly:
Andrews/3rd rounder
Goedert/4th rounder
Mayer/5th rounder

How about 22 for 27 and Andrews? The value chart delta between 22 and 27 is 100 points, roughly equivalent to an end of 3rd round pick.

I think that's tougher than the trade chart says, just because the difference is 2 top 100 players vs 1 for the Ravens. Maybe if there was a guy they REALLY wanted at #22 who they didn't think would make it to #27, but in this draft that feels less valuable than the 3rd rounder to me. Possible though.

I kind of had the same reaction. As a Chargers fan, I would rather have 27 and Andrews. Then again, given his age and salary level, I'm not sure if a 3rd is right. I had been thinking it would take a 4th.

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews. Especially in THIS draft where - from everything I've read - there are about 13 "1st round" picks and about 60 "2nd round" grades. Someone would REALLY have to fall for them to do that. I think they'd rather trade him for a 3rd or 4th straight-up.

Again, I'm terrible at predicting this kind of stuff. I don't want Andrews to go anywhere. He's one of the best players the Baltimore Ravens have ever had. I'm just thinking there's a salary crunch coming here.

Just to throw it out there, am I the only one whom thinks Andrews is still clearly better than Likely?

Like I think Andrews is a much better route runner, much better blocker, and typically has better hands (though Andrews had some yips last year) Likely is really only better at run after catch in my eyes.

Like, I think the offense would miss Andrews a ton. Though I do wonder if they traded Andrews, if they might run a lot more 3-WR sets, and possibly draft a WR early.

Oh, definitely they'd miss him. He allows Baltimore to do a lot of different things. Even when he was struggling early last season, opposing teams were still accounting for him.

Plus, he and Lamar Jackson are really good friends. I don't know how much, if at all, that'll play into this.

I don't think they'd miss him, not in the sense he would create some hole, gap or need. He's been unavailable or not overly productive for the last 1.5 seasons and they've not skipped a beat.

He was 4th in the NFL (1st at TE) in TD catches last season. I mean, that's pretty productive.

39 yards a game is not and that's more of a measure to me.

I get that. I will say if you get rid of that 1st month where he didn't look healthy, it jumps to 47 yards per game.

55-673-11 becomes a pace of 64-795-14.

Even so if the subject is if they will miss him they did not last year when he went down, the offense did not suffer if you throw out that first month for Andrews.

He's really good, they've just shown that so long as they have Likely at least that without him the offense seems no worse for wear.

 

[osubuckeyeman]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

They have 11 picks, a lot of them late. One 7th rounder, four six-rounders. Two fourth-rounders. One-fifth rounder. Round 1. (27), Round 2. (59), Round 3 (91).

They have many picks, but only three are in the top 91. I could see them trying to move up in the top three rounds, possibly into the second round, or acquire another second-rounder. They could also make a trade and acquire another pick in the top 90.

There is room to move, and I could see a lot of movement in rounds three through six in this draft. They could also package their fourths and move up. The Ravens have all kinds of options.

The six-rounders won't carry much weight, but those fourth-rounders could. Andrews' package can also help them move around or acquire another pick.

 

[osubuckeyeman]

Two things about a Mark Andrews trade: They are on the books for four million in 2025 with him, but they can also get seven million in cap relief by trading him.

It is going to take a decent deal to get Mark Andrews. I could see a middle third getting it done, maybe with a player. I think I read the Ravens would get a 4th-round compensatory pick for him next year if he left in free agency. I'm unsure how that works, but I saw that somewhere. If that is true, there is no reason to trade him for less than a 3rd-round pick.

You have to think of Likely's contract in this as well. He is a free agent in 2026. I think he will get an extension, but at what cost? If the Ravens keep Andrews, it could eat into Likely's production, which could help negotiations on his extension. I'm not sure Likely's camp would let that fly, though. If I were his agent, I would hold that against them. The question is, are they better with both tight ends? Likely was used all over the formation. He was on the outside. He was in the slot. He was in the backfield, and he played some halfback as well.

They will be a better team in 2025 with both Andrews and Likely. I do not see how that can even be argued, but the compensation has its value, and the 7 million has its value. If you are a team seeking Mark Andrews, make it make sense and fit the Ravens' worth, and then it can happen. I think they both end up on the Ravens' roster, but as EDC said in the Ravens' pre-draft presser, you never know what can happen.

I also think Likely is a breakout this season or next. I'm talking top-5 kind of breakout. I think more of a chance in 2026, but certainly it can happen in 2025 with the right circumstances.

 

[menobrown]

Something I've been saying since I think the 2023 season.

Ravens would likely prefer to not have a situation were both Likely and Andrews are UFA's at the end of the season I feel like they'd want to extend one of them. If they do that with Likely then that's when things get interesting to me.

What will Andrews mood/mindset be playing last year of his deal on a contract with no future guarantees and putting him in a position to hit UFA for what would be his age 31 season while his heir just got paid a huge bag and is the future? Andrews seems like a good dude, teammate, close to Lamar and I'm sure has a lot of unfinished business in Baltimore especially with how last season ended but that's the kind of situation that does not sit well with most vets. My guess is Andrews would like out if it gets to this point, especially if he has reason to believe there is a team out there that will extend him and not make him wait till end of 2025. Players, especially at this age, don't like playing with no future guarantees or commitment especially when they got to sit around in their position group meetings all year looking at the guy the team paid to replace you.

 

[osubuckeyeman]

Something I've been saying since I think the 2023 season.

Ravens would likely prefer to not have a situation were both Likely and Andrews are UFA's at the end of the season I feel like they'd want to extend one of them. If they do that with Likely then that's when things get interesting to me.

What will Andrews mood/mindset be playing last year of his deal on a contract with no future guarantees and putting him in a position to hit UFA for what would be his age 31 season while his heir just got paid a huge bag and is the future? Andrews seems like a good dude, teammate, close to Lamar and I'm sure has a lot of unfinished business in Baltimore especially with how last season ended but that's the kind of situation that does not sit well with most vets. My guess is Andrews would like out if it gets to this point, especially if he has reason to believe there is a team out there that will extend him and not make him wait till end of 2025. Players, especially at this age, don't like playing with no future guarantees or commitment especially when they got to sit around in their position group meetings all year looking at the guy the team paid to replace you.

Agreed. He might want to have the Ravens do him a solid here. They could do a two-year bump extension and try to make him happy. Something they could get out in a year. I agree that if I were Mark Andrews behind closed doors, I might explain to the Ravens just what you laid out. It's a good point. However, the quest for the ring is within his range with the Ravens. That means something to players his age as well. Perhaps a slight bump extension and sell him on the quest for the ring might work for this season.

 

[Tau837]

Something I've been saying since I think the 2023 season.

Ravens would likely prefer to not have a situation were both Likely and Andrews are UFA's at the end of the season I feel like they'd want to extend one of them. If they do that with Likely then that's when things get interesting to me.

What will Andrews mood/mindset be playing last year of his deal on a contract with no future guarantees and putting him in a position to hit UFA for what would be his age 31 season while his heir just got paid a huge bag and is the future? Andrews seems like a good dude, teammate, close to Lamar and I'm sure has a lot of unfinished business in Baltimore especially with how last season ended but that's the kind of situation that does not sit well with most vets. My guess is Andrews would like out if it gets to this point, especially if he has reason to believe there is a team out there that will extend him and not make him wait till end of 2025. Players, especially at this age, don't like playing with no future guarantees or commitment especially when they got to sit around in their position group meetings all year looking at the guy the team paid to replace you.

Agreed. He might want to have the Ravens do him a solid here. They could do a two-year bump extension and try to make him happy. Something they could get out in a year. I agree that if I were Mark Andrews behind closed doors, I might explain to the Ravens just what you laid out. It's a good point. However, the quest for the ring is within his range with the Ravens. That means something to players his age as well. Perhaps a slight bump extension and sell him on the quest for the ring might work for this season.

I may be misunderstanding you, but I think you are saying he might want the Ravens to "do him a solid" by giving him a 2 year extension they can get of after 1 year... meaning after 2026. That would put Andrews as a free agent before his age 32 season. Is that doing him a solid? Are you basing that solely on the idea that he would have a significantly better chance at winning a ring with the Ravens in 2025 or 2026 than he would elsewhere?

Also, if they extend him, how much 2025 cap space do they save? Not $7M. Is it enough?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

They have 11 picks, a lot of them late. One 7th rounder, four six-rounders. Two fourth-rounders. One-fifth rounder. Round 1. (27), Round 2. (59), Round 3 (91).

They have many picks, but only three are in the top 91. I could see them trying to move up in the top three rounds, possibly into the second round, or acquire another second-rounder. They could also make a trade and acquire another pick in the top 90.

There is room to move, and I could see a lot of movement in rounds three through six in this draft. They could also package their fourths and move up. The Ravens have all kinds of options.

The six-rounders won't carry much weight, but those fourth-rounders could. Andrews' package can also help them move around or acquire another pick.

They don't have enough open roster spots for 11 draft picks unless they start whacking vets like they are government employees

Baltimore could roll out a good starting lineup tomorrow. What they need is depth at some spots. So I expect, like you guys say above, that they'll be moving around and targeting players in the middle rounds. They've made hay there in the past.

To bring it back to Andrews....... I'm just guessing here but I think - IF Baltimore was thinking of trading him - they'd take a 3rd (especially if it was in the upper half of the round). Or hell, maybe they trade Likely if they think Kolar is ready to break out.

I dunno. The more I think about this, the more my head hurts

 

[JohnnyU]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

They have 11 picks, a lot of them late. One 7th rounder, four six-rounders. Two fourth-rounders. One-fifth rounder. Round 1. (27), Round 2. (59), Round 3 (91).

They have many picks, but only three are in the top 91. I could see them trying to move up in the top three rounds, possibly into the second round, or acquire another second-rounder. They could also make a trade and acquire another pick in the top 90.

There is room to move, and I could see a lot of movement in rounds three through six in this draft. They could also package their fourths and move up. The Ravens have all kinds of options.

The six-rounders won't carry much weight, but those fourth-rounders could. Andrews' package can also help them move around or acquire another pick.

They don't have enough open roster spots for 11 draft picks unless they start whacking vets like they are government employees

Baltimore could roll out a good starting lineup tomorrow. What they need is depth at some spots. So I expect, like you guys say above, that they'll be moving around and targeting players in the middle rounds. They've made hay there in the past.

To bring it back to Andrews....... I'm just guessing here but I think - IF Baltimore was thinking of trading him - they'd take a 3rd (especially if it was in the upper half of the round). Or hell, maybe they trade Likely if they think Kolar is ready to break out.

I dunno. The more I think about this, the more my head hurts

Tradiing Likely would be stupid IMO.

 

[warpig33]

My ...

TE's can perform well deep into their 30s. Andrews is what...30? Tony G, Kelce, Gates, Sharpe, etc all performed at a high level late in their careers. They can realistically count on 5+ more years of top performance from Andrews. They could trade Likely and get a 3rd for him probably and just use Kolar as the #2 or draft a TE late in the draft. They've shown they can draft well for years. But my money is on them keeping both Andrews and Likely and they gradually feed Likely more opportunities to preserve Andrews for the long haul.

 

[ratbast]

All this speculation is because of Likely and his extension next year. Andrews had a rough start to the season but man did he come alive and in non ppr he was money! A dynasty target last year, I’d grab him if I can.

 

[osubuckeyeman]

Something I've been saying since I think the 2023 season.

Ravens would likely prefer to not have a situation were both Likely and Andrews are UFA's at the end of the season I feel like they'd want to extend one of them. If they do that with Likely then that's when things get interesting to me.

What will Andrews mood/mindset be playing last year of his deal on a contract with no future guarantees and putting him in a position to hit UFA for what would be his age 31 season while his heir just got paid a huge bag and is the future? Andrews seems like a good dude, teammate, close to Lamar and I'm sure has a lot of unfinished business in Baltimore especially with how last season ended but that's the kind of situation that does not sit well with most vets. My guess is Andrews would like out if it gets to this point, especially if he has reason to believe there is a team out there that will extend him and not make him wait till end of 2025. Players, especially at this age, don't like playing with no future guarantees or commitment especially when they got to sit around in their position group meetings all year looking at the guy the team paid to replace you.

Agreed. He might want to have the Ravens do him a solid here. They could do a two-year bump extension and try to make him happy. Something they could get out in a year. I agree that if I were Mark Andrews behind closed doors, I might explain to the Ravens just what you laid out. It's a good point. However, the quest for the ring is within his range with the Ravens. That means something to players his age as well. Perhaps a slight bump extension and sell him on the quest for the ring might work for this season.

I may be misunderstanding you, but I think you are saying he might want the Ravens to "do him a solid" by giving him a 2 year extension they can get of after 1 year... meaning after 2026. That would put Andrews as a free agent before his age 32 season. Is that doing him a solid? Are you basing that solely on the idea that he would have a significantly better chance at winning a ring with the Ravens in 2025 or 2026 than he would elsewhere?

Also, if they extend him, how much 2025 cap space do they save? Not $7M. Is it enough?

Yes, making a run at the Super Bowl. They could extend him without it being significant if they chose. They could trade him if they like, and that is what he prefers. I think they are a better team with him than without, but they can help move him if he wants, or give him more money, or do nothing and play it out. I think a trade will have to yield a reasonably high return, though.

 

[osubuckeyeman]

All this speculation is because of Likely and his extension next year. Andrews had a rough start to the season but man did he come alive and in non ppr he was money! A dynasty target last year, I’d grab him if I can.

Well, and Andrews needs a contract as well, but yeah.

 

[Biabreakable]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

How many picks do the Ravens have?

I thought what Ukuk-Hai said about the draft being 10-15 top tier players then another 16-60 players as the next tier of players was a good point. I have heard similar perspectives from quite a few different folks who study the players available in 2025.

So to trade up the top DT or something would have to fall too far or something. A top 15 player anyways.

It's never been the Ravens MO to trade up. They have done excellent time and time again just letting the draft come to them.

Now maybe they could package some of those later picks they have to try to move up to pick 60 or wherever they think that 2nd tier of players drops off.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

How many picks do the Ravens have?

I thought what Ukuk-Hai said about the draft being 10-15 top tier players then another 16-60 players as the next tier of players.

So to trade up the top DT or something would have to fall too far or something. A top 15 player anyways.

It's never been the Ravens MO to trade up. They have done excellent time and time again just letting the draft come to them.

Now maybe they could package some of those later picks they have to try to move up to pick 60 or wherever they think that 2nd tier of players drops off.

They have 11 picks and most are 4th-and-later. Baltimore doesn't have enough roster spaces open to sign 11 rookies.

The Ravens have traded up before - both Flacco and Jackson were trade-ups and Linderbaum kinda was.

 

[menobrown]

I'm dumb as a box of rocks, but I don't see the Ravens trading up 5 spots with the cost being Andrews

I don't either and part of that is why you said. Also the Ravens are great at letting the draft fall to them, just was listening to a mock the other night where when the Ravens got up the were saying how this is typical of a Ravens draft were all kinds of talent fell to them. Now of course I/we have zero idea how they graded players but this jives with every mock I see, they seem to have a lot of viable options. I'll never say never, they could always covet someone but hard to see.

It makes sense in theory though to whoever suggested it because just yesterday the Ravens were talking about how they got a boatload of picks and now they can't all make the team. So in that vein moving up instead of accruing extra picks makes sense.

How many picks do the Ravens have?

I thought what Ukuk-Hai said about the draft being 10-15 top tier players then another 16-60 players as the next tier of players.

So to trade up the top DT or something would have to fall too far or something. A top 15 player anyways.

It's never been the Ravens MO to trade up. They have done excellent time and time again just letting the draft come to them.

Now maybe they could package some of those later picks they have to try to move up to pick 60 or wherever they think that 2nd tier of players drops off.

11 picks and yes I agree that I could see them packaging some of those picks to move up, and not necessarily in round one.


Focusing on round one if the Chargers pick was ahead of the Steelers I'd think it would be more likely since both teams are in the DT market, both specifically have been mocked by the few I've seen for Derrick Harmon. If they felt like they could get their guy and the Steeler's guy, that might motivate them to do what they typically don't but my best guess is if they trade up will be in later rounds. Just a guess because of their MO.

 

[efactor]

Something I've been saying since I think the 2023 season.

Ravens would likely prefer to not have a situation were both Likely and Andrews are UFA's at the end of the season I feel like they'd want to extend one of them. If they do that with Likely then that's when things get interesting to me.

What will Andrews mood/mindset be playing last year of his deal on a contract with no future guarantees and putting him in a position to hit UFA for what would be his age 31 season while his heir just got paid a huge bag and is the future? Andrews seems like a good dude, teammate, close to Lamar and I'm sure has a lot of unfinished business in Baltimore especially with how last season ended but that's the kind of situation that does not sit well with most vets. My guess is Andrews would like out if it gets to this point, especially if he has reason to believe there is a team out there that will extend him and not make him wait till end of 2025. Players, especially at this age, don't like playing with no future guarantees or commitment especially when they got to sit around in their position group meetings all year looking at the guy the team paid to replace you.

Agreed. He might want to have the Ravens do him a solid here. They could do a two-year bump extension and try to make him happy. Something they could get out in a year. I agree that if I were Mark Andrews behind closed doors, I might explain to the Ravens just what you laid out. It's a good point. However, the quest for the ring is within his range with the Ravens. That means something to players his age as well. Perhaps a slight bump extension and sell him on the quest for the ring might work for this season.

I may be misunderstanding you, but I think you are saying he might want the Ravens to "do him a solid" by giving him a 2 year extension they can get of after 1 year... meaning after 2026. That would put Andrews as a free agent before his age 32 season. Is that doing him a solid? Are you basing that solely on the idea that he would have a significantly better chance at winning a ring with the Ravens in 2025 or 2026 than he would elsewhere?

Also, if they extend him, how much 2025 cap space do they save? Not $7M. Is it enough?

Yes, making a run at the Super Bowl. They could extend him without it being significant if they chose. They could trade him if they like, and that is what he prefers. I think they are a better team with him than without, but they can help move him if he wants, or give him more money, or do nothing and play it out. I think a trade will have to yield a reasonably high return, though.

Yeah, I don't see them trading him this year since they are one of the favorites for the Super Bowl, especially if the draft capital is a 3rd rounder. Just keep him and at worst they get a 4th round comp when/if he leaves as a FA. Gotta go for it now

 

[menobrown]

Something I've been saying since I think the 2023 season.

Ravens would likely prefer to not have a situation were both Likely and Andrews are UFA's at the end of the season I feel like they'd want to extend one of them. If they do that with Likely then that's when things get interesting to me.

What will Andrews mood/mindset be playing last year of his deal on a contract with no future guarantees and putting him in a position to hit UFA for what would be his age 31 season while his heir just got paid a huge bag and is the future? Andrews seems like a good dude, teammate, close to Lamar and I'm sure has a lot of unfinished business in Baltimore especially with how last season ended but that's the kind of situation that does not sit well with most vets. My guess is Andrews would like out if it gets to this point, especially if he has reason to believe there is a team out there that will extend him and not make him wait till end of 2025. Players, especially at this age, don't like playing with no future guarantees or commitment especially when they got to sit around in their position group meetings all year looking at the guy the team paid to replace you.

Agreed. He might want to have the Ravens do him a solid here. They could do a two-year bump extension and try to make him happy. Something they could get out in a year. I agree that if I were Mark Andrews behind closed doors, I might explain to the Ravens just what you laid out. It's a good point. However, the quest for the ring is within his range with the Ravens. That means something to players his age as well. Perhaps a slight bump extension and sell him on the quest for the ring might work for this season.

I may be misunderstanding you, but I think you are saying he might want the Ravens to "do him a solid" by giving him a 2 year extension they can get of after 1 year... meaning after 2026. That would put Andrews as a free agent before his age 32 season. Is that doing him a solid? Are you basing that solely on the idea that he would have a significantly better chance at winning a ring with the Ravens in 2025 or 2026 than he would elsewhere?

Also, if they extend him, how much 2025 cap space do they save? Not $7M. Is it enough?

Yes, making a run at the Super Bowl. They could extend him without it being significant if they chose. They could trade him if they like, and that is what he prefers. I think they are a better team with him than without, but they can help move him if he wants, or give him more money, or do nothing and play it out. I think a trade will have to yield a reasonably high return, though.

Yeah, I don't see them trading him this year since they are one of the favorites for the Super Bowl, especially if the draft capital is a 3rd rounder. Just keep him and at worst they get a 4th round comp when/if he leaves as a FA. Gotta go for it now

That makes sound sense but you could say most of those same things about Goedert and the Eagles have all but hung a for sale sign on him and some reports a 4th would get it done. That Decosta could have just said this was their intention to do what you are suggesting and put a stop to all this speculation and has not tells me that trading him is on the table for the right offer.

Any chance that both of these TE's are being made available not so much because their teams covet the cap space and draft picks over them but because they are chirping about not being happy to play next year as 30 year olds with no future guarantees left in their contracts? I think this could be the case and why the expected returns are so low because this might be were the acquiring team is expected to extend them.

 

[Faust]

Mark Andrews speaks out on trade rumors ahead of NFL draft