Dolphins On Radar For Day 2 QB Pick
Can Ward is already assembling questionable rankings that prop up Titans skill-position players, all but assuring he knows where he will be drafted. This now reminds of last year, when Caleb Williams‘ draft destination was known weeks in advance. The cloudy outlook for this draft’s second batch of quarterbacks is now generating more intrigue.
The Browns, Giants, Saints and Steelers join the Titans in coming into this draft with clear QB needs. The teams holding top-10 picks are viewed as likely to pass on this QB crop there before circling back, while the Steelers have been closely connected to QBs at No. 21. Another team without a quarterback need has resurfaced on the radar for a potential passer pick. The Dolphins are viewed as a team to monitor for a second-day draft choice at the position, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Miami enters the draft with 10 selections, providing some flexibility. They could obtain more in trades involving Jalen Ramsey and/or Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins gave Zach Wilson $6MM guaranteed as a reclamation project, but the Jets learned the hard way about installing the erratic passer as their top backup two years ago. The Broncos then traded for Wilson, splitting his salary with the Jets, before burying him on their depth chart. The former No. 2 overall pick did not overtake Jarrett Stidham behind Bo Nix last year. As it stands, he is the clear-cut QB2 in Miami.
Though, the team having extended Tua Tagovailoa less than a year ago would make a Day 2 selection remind of the Eagles’ Carson Wentz–Jalen Hurts situation. The Eagles paid Wentz in summer 2019 before drafting Hurts in the 2020 second round. Philly’s move edged Wentz out of the picture after the 2020 season but has paid off in the long term. Hurts did not enter the 2020 draft as one of the premier passing prospects, reminding of this year’s lot of second-tier options. But Miami taking a Day 2 passer would still surprise given their Tua investment. That said, Tagovailoa has been unable to stay healthy. The Dolphins have only drafted one QB (seventh-rounder Skylar Thompson) since drafting Tua in 2020.
Coming up as a team doing work on QBs earlier during the pre-draft process, the Dolphins met with, scouted, or “evaluated” Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord. While Ewers, Shough and Milroe have been mentioned regularly leading up to the draft, Gabriel and McCord have flown under the radar. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rates Gabriel as the 205th-best prospect in this class and McCord 236th. Both would seemingly be available well into Round 3. The Dolphins hold the Nos. 48 and 98 picks on Day 2, with Jones adding the fourth round also looms as a window teams are monitoring for a QB to go to Miami. The team holds two fourth-round picks (Nos. 116 and 135).
A passer chosen in the third or fourth rounds would not trip alarms on Tagovailoa’s timeline, even as the team carries a clear out — barring restructures — on the southpaw starter’s lucrative deal following the 2026 season. A QB coming to South Beach in Round 2 would, though. It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins impact the Browns, Giants and Saints’ trade-up efforts, but after Tagovailoa has missed 14 starts since 2021 (after he entered the league with a major hip injury), the team looks to be considering further protection.
Seahawks Still Open To Drafting QB; Team Eyeing OL, WR Additions
The Seahawks have their starting quarterback of the present and (potentially) future in Sam Darnold. The team has also reunited with Drew Lock to compete for the backup gig with returnee Sam Howell. Despite those moves, drafting a quarterback is still on the table. 
“I think it’s a great situation,” general manager John Schneider said of the team’s new quarterback setup during his latest appearance on Seattle Sports radio. “It doesn’t preclude us from doing anything in the draft either, in figuring out what’s going on there. It’s really like an, ‘OK, let’s get this in the mix.’ Drew had other opportunities, so we figured we better wrap this up, kind of put a bow on it, get him in the building and then let’s see what happens in the draft, because it’s difficult to find that great fit at quarterback as you move through the process.”
Darnold inked a three-year pact to replace Geno Smith atop the depth chart, but the Seahawks could move on after the 2025 campaign based on the structure of his deal. Neither Lock nor Howell (a pending 2026 free agent) have established themselves as full-time starting options in their careers, so adding a rookie to the mix would be feasible. Seattle owns 10 picks in April’s draft, but the team of course also has roster holes to fill at other positions.
That includes the interior of the offensive line, a spot Schneider has previously mentioned as a position of need. Selecting a guard would come as little surprise, and PFR’s mock draft has the team taking Alabama’s Tyler Booker 18th overall. The Seahawks have other Day 1 options to consider up front, though, and one of them appears to be firmly on the radar.
Grey Zabel is believed to be a Seattle target, Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline reports. The North Dakota State product’s stock has risen during the pre-draft process, and he is firmly on the Day 1 radar (although Pauline adds the Seahawks could look to trade down the order before adding Zabel). In any case, a blocker added early in the draft would have the chance to play right away on an offensive line looking to rebound from last year’s showing.
Confirming O-line is a logical target in Seattle’s case, ESPN’s Matt Miller writes a receiver is another position to watch early in the draft. Adding size in particular to a WR room which lost D.K. Metcalf last month could be in play, per Miller. As a result, Tetairoa McMillan could be a target on Day 1. Seattle still has Jaxon Smith-Njigba atop the depth chart along with veteran Cooper Kupp, who was signed in free agency after Tyler Lockett‘s release. There is room for an impact rookie to play a rotational role starting in 2025.
Overall, the Seahawks have five of the first 92 selections in this year’s draft. Schneider will have plenty of opportunities to add at several positions as a result, but upgrading up front and/or in the pass-catching department early would come as no surprise.
Teams Unwilling To Pay Full 2025 Compensation For Dolphins’ Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey is known to be on the trade block as the countdown to the draft continues. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier confirmed the team is open to moving on from the All-Pro corner even though no trade request was submitted. 
It was earlier this week that the mutual desire between team and player to work out a trade went public, but at least some in the league have known about this situation for several weeks. One source informed Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports they were aware of Miami’s desire to move on dating back to the Combine. It will be interesting to see if the coming days spark an increase in Ramsey’s market.
On that note, Jones adds some see the decision to go public with Ramsey’s situation as an indication suitors are not prepared to make a serious push at this point. Any number of teams would see their pass defenses improve with the seven-time Pro Bowler in the fold, but finances are of course a sticking point with respect to a deal being worked out. Four years remain on Ramsey’s contract, one which was extended last offseason. He is owed $21.1MM in guarantees for 2025 in addition to what he has already been paid.
As could be expected, Jones reports interested teams are not prepared to take on that amount in full as a condition of a Ramsey trade agreement. The Dolphins would be dealt a significant cap charge in the event a trade were to be worked out before June 1 (whereas the dead money could be spread out across two years if Ramsey were to be dealt after that date). Grier and Co. are nonetheless willing to move forward with a trade at any time, per Jones, but retaining money will be needed as things currently stand.
At the age of 30, Ramsey will face questions about his ability to remain a high-end cover man moving forward. The former fifth overall pick also missed seven games in 2023 due to a knee injury, although he managed to rebound with a full campaign last season. Still, that could give an acquiring team reason to pursue a restructure which lowers Ramsey’s compensation for 2026 and beyond. Before that becomes possible, terms on a trade will need to be agreed to.
While Grier left the door open to Ramsey remaining in Miami – a team which already cut fellow CB starter Kendall Fuller this offseason – a deal sending him to a fourth career squad remains something to watch for. A willingness on the part of the Dolphins to retain compensation would no doubt boost his market over the coming days, but a post-draft trade should not be counted out.
Latest On Steelers, Aaron Rodgers; Mike Tomlin High On Shedeur Sanders?
APRIL 18: Members of the Steelers’ organization are anxious to move forward, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. He adds, however, that Pittsburgh remains open to working out a deal – something which may very well take place after the draft. Jones predicts the Steelers’ “cutoff point” on the Rodgers front will come at some time this offseason, but it will likely not be after a rookie is selected (presuming the team takes that route next week).
APRIL 17: Aaron Rodgers broke his silence Thursday, but while he spoke of a disappointing exit meeting with the Jets’ new brass and of his batch of suitors, the high-profile (and high-maintenance) quarterback did not give a timeline for when, or if, he would sign. This leaves the Steelers — the lone team still waiting out this situation — a major question to answer soon. Will they opt to join the Giants in moving on?
That is not out of the question. This might be a situation the team chooses to steer clear of due to the “headache” that has been known to come with employing Rodgers, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline writes. The Steelers still seem quite interested in Rodgers, to the point their power brokers expressed optimism about an agreement coming to fruition recently. But Pittsburgh’s offer has been on the table for over a month now. With the draft a week away, the team at least needs to have a contingency plan.
[RELATED: No Rodgers Timeline In Place; Steelers Have Explored Other QBs]
Going from Russell Wilson to Mason Rudolph would not qualify as an upgrade for the Steelers, despite the party line of the team being confident in the former Ben Roethlisberger backup and Kenny Pickett replacement. Retirement remains in play for Rodgers, who had alerted the Vikings of his interest in landing there this offseason. The Giants saw the writing on the wall and signed Wilson.
While Rodgers has thrown passes to D.K. Metcalf this offseason, the Steelers may need to come out of this draft with a starter-caliber option. Otherwise, the Rudolph insurance option may become necessary. Joe Flacco rejoining the Browns, and the Falcons are still wanting a suitor to pay a sizable portion of Kirk Cousins‘ 2025 salary in the event of a post-draft trade. That is believed to be an issue for the Steelers.
Rodgers did not give the Steelers an ultimatum regarding their draft strategy, as he would qualify as likely a 2025-only solution if he were to sign. This would not stand to affect the Steelers in the draft, though had Rodgers committed already, the team could certainly have the freedom to bolster its roster around the aging QB in the first round. Instead, the prospect the team uses a first-round pick on a quarterback has been bandied about for weeks. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft sends Shedeur Sanders to Pittsburgh at No. 21, and Pauline points to that scenario being one the team’s highest-profile staffer may well endorse.
Mike Tomlin is a Sanders supporter, per Pauline, who adds the 19th-year HC would be “in favor” of drafting the Colorado prospect. Sanders detractors have pointed to a lack of high-level traits worthy of a first-round pick, with the QB not resembling his Hall of Fame father-turned-coach in terms of athleticism. Sanders has received praise for his accuracy and toughness, but concerns about his upside have led to doubts about the former Division I-FCS recruit finding a top-10 landing spot.
Unless the Browns and Giants are conducting elaborate smokescreen operations, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter (in some order) will go off the board after Cam Ward. The Raiders, Jets and Saints could be in play for Sanders, but rumors are pointing those franchises elsewhere. This could leave a door open for the Steelers, though their situation — one Rodgers’ indecision has illuminated — leaves them vulnerable to a team trading in front of them at No. 21 and snagging Sanders. Tomlin-Jalen Milroe connections had formed earlier this offseason, but Pauline adds the accomplished HC sees potential in Sanders.
It does not sound like a Sanders pick will be a must for Tomlin and Pittsburgh, but if he is still on the board at No. 21, this connection will be quite relevant. Pittsburgh is not known for moving up in Round 1, though the franchise has done so twice in the past six drafts (for Devin Bush and Broderick Jones). That would be a scenario to monitor if Sanders falls past the Saints at No. 9.
The Steelers would have options in Milroe, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Quinn Ewers. Though, Derek Carr‘s updated situation creates uncertainty regarding the Saints’ direction. New Orleans wants to leave this draft with a quarterback. The Steelers probably need to as well, in the event their Rodgers’ pursuit goes bust.
Dalton Risner Expects To Sign Soon; Vikings, Broncos, Bengals On Radar
With the start of the draft less than one week away, little movement is expected as it pertains to free agency. Dalton Risner is among the top offensive line options still on the market, and he could see himself signing in the near future, though. 
The veteran guard has 87 appearances and 81 starts to his name, and he could occupy a first-team role upon arrival with a new employer. Risner, 29, has gone through a lengthy free agent process for each of the past two years, both times inking a deal with the Vikings. Minnesota’s offseason has included the addition of Will Fries along the interior of the O-line, however, so another Vikings pact could entail backup duties in Risner’s case. The team is nevertheless one of three in position to agree to a deal.
“Minnesota has shown interest in bringing me back, but only to an extent,” Risner said in a video posted to TikTok. “I will be on a team soon, I could imagine.”
The former second-rounder noted he is currently in talks with multiple teams and specifically named the Broncos and Bengals as other potential landing spots. Risner spent his first four seasons in Denver, operating as a full-time starter at left guard. He topped out as PFF’s 28th-ranked guard during that time, a feat which was surpassed this past campaign in Minnesota (68.1 overall grade, good for 22nd amongst guards). The Broncos already have Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers under contract for multiple years, so Risner would be in line for a backup gig in the event he returned to the Mile High City.
The Bengals’ O-line setup has seen alterations at the guard spot during free agency. Alex Cappa was released, while Lucas Patrick was added on a one-year deal. The latter has started 64 games in his eight-year career, and he will compete for a first-team spot during training camp. Cody Ford was re-signed last month, and as a result he will be able to handle a swing tackle role and/or see playing time at guard if needed. Adding Risner to the mix would give Cincinnati another experienced option along the interior.
All three teams in question have the finances needed to add Risner, ranging from $16.56MM to $23.44MM in cap space as things stand. Minnesota, Denver and Cincinnati will of course need to set aside resources for the incoming draft class as well as other moves, but an agreement on this front could come together at any time.
Aaron Rodgers Still Considering Retirement; QB Remains In Contact With Steelers
Throughout the 2025 offseason, Aaron Rodgers‘ future has loomed as a talking point. The future Hall of Famer remains unsigned one week before the draft, and nothing is imminent with respect to where (if at all) he will play in 2025. 
Rodgers has remained quiet since the end of last season, but on Thursday he made his latest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. The 41-year-old touched on a number of subjects, including repeated references to the fact he has several ongoing commitments in his personal life. In large part as a result of that, no firm decision has been made with respect to signing with an interested team or hanging up his cleats.
[RELATED: Mike Tomlin High On Shedeur Sanders?]
“I am trying to be open to everything and not specifically attached to anything when it comes to this decision,” Rodgers said (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). “I’m not holding anybody hostage… I’m just going through a lot in my personal life that has to take precedent at this point.”
Rodgers said his face-to-face meeting with new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey did not go as he envisioned. It was then that he learned of the team’s decision to move on, by means of a conversation which ended very quickly and which Rodgers added was lacking in respect. New York ultimately released him with a post-June 1 designation, but before that move officially took place he has been free to speak with potential employers.
On that note, Rodgers confirmed he has had conversations with the Giants, Vikings and Steelers about a potential deal. He noted a willingness to play for $10MM in 2025, adding he is not insistent on receiving a multi-year deal to continue his career. Considering the current market for quarterbacks, a one-year commitment in that price range would certainly be feasible for any number of suitors. Several dominoes have already fallen amongst signal-callers, however, and more vacancies will be filled during the draft. Despite what Rodgers termed positive conversations with the likes of Brian Daboll, Kevin O’Connell and Mike Tomlin, therefore, nothing is certain regarding an agreement being worked out.
The Giants have added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and they could add a long-term option in the form of a rookie next week. The Vikings – reported last month to be Rodgers’ preferred landing spot – could stand to bring in a veteran as J.J. McCarthy insurance, but Minnesota has remained publicly comfortable with handing the reins to last year’s No. 10 pick. That leaves the Steelers as a logical landing spot, especially given owner Art Rooney II‘s comments about signs pointing in the direction of a deal.
Pittsburgh could stand to add under center, and Tomlin remains in contact with Rodgers (as the latter confirmed today). The team has not imposed a deadline for a decision, but with the draft approaching the Steelers’ Day 1 plans in particular could depend on which direction Rodgers leans. After making an offer early in free agency, Pittsburgh’s proposal is not believed to have shifted. To little surprise given his other comments, though, Rodgers said the draft will not alter his approach with respect to his playing future.
In other words, the Steelers could add a developmental option as early as the first round next week while still remaining open to a Rodgers signing. The four-time MVP added he is OK with teams moving forward with alternate plans under center, particularly as it pertains to bringing in a rookie. Presumably, a shrinking market for his services would have an impact on his willingness to suit up in 2025, though. To that end, CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala reported on a recent 93.7 The Fan appearance that Rodgers would rather retire than join a team which is not a Super Bowl contender.
Evaluating the candidacy of teams for a dee postseason run in 2025 will of course be easier after the draft takes place, but it does not appear as though any movement on the Rodgers front will be seen by that point. With retirement still on the table, the wait for further developments will continue.
Joe Flacco Signing Won’t Affect Browns’ Draft Plans; Ravens Pursued Reunion With QB
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that the team’s signing of Joe Flacco won’t impact their plans for the quarterback position in next week’s draft, per The Athletic’s Zac Jackson.
Cleveland has done their homework on several top QB prospects, including Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough.
When asked specifically about Sanders, Berry said (via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) that “all options are on the table.” He went on to say that the team is focused on finding a “long-term” quarterback and isn’t necessarily looking for a 2025 starter in the draft, according to Jackson.
At the moment, though, the Browns seem more likely to take Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 2 pick. Their second-rounder (No. 34 overall) could then be used to acquire a quarterback, potentially via a trade up into the end of the first round.
Using the second overall pick on a quarterback would put pressure on that player to start right away in Cleveland. A late first- or early second-rounder could still compete for a starting job as a rookie, but he could also sit behind Flacco and Kenny Pickett to aid his development. Neither veteran, however, projects as a clear starter for the 2025 season.
“I don’t think there’s any expectation of exactly who’s going to be the starting quarterback,” said Flacco (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). The former Raven hasn’t earned a starting job out of training camp since his 2019 stint with the Broncos. He was, however, the go-to QB2 for the Jets, Browns, and Colts over the last three seasons with 15 total starts. Flacco did receive interest from Baltimore about returning as a backup to Lamar Jackson, per Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun, but opted to sign in Cleveland due to the potential of a starting opportunity. The Ravens ended up with Cooper Rush as Jackson’s backup.
Pickett has openly expressed his desire to start for the Browns in 2025, though his previous starting experience in Pittsburgh left much to be desired.
“That’s the plan, man. I’m not going there to hang out,” said Pickett (via TribLive’s Jerry DiPaola). “I want to go play. I’m excited, been working hard for it, taking it a day at a time.”
Bills To Reunite With CB Tre’Davious White
The Bills are reuniting with veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6.8MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
White, a 2017 first-round pick, spent the first seven years of his career in Buffalo, though he was significantly limited by injuries in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He was released by the Bills during the 2024 offseason and signed with the Rams, but only started four games in Los Angeles before landing on the trade block. White was then traded to the Ravens for a 2026 sixth-round pick, with the Rams sending a 2027 seventh-round pick to Baltimore to facilitate the deal.
Now, White is back with the team that drafted him, an outcome that Bills general manager Brandon Beane acknowledged as a possibility when he parted ways with White last year.
“I told him…’Just because this move is now, doesn’t mean it doesn’t work out for us to get you back in Buffalo,'” said Beane, via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
White will likely compete for a starting job as an outside cornerback in Buffalo with Kaiir Elam and Rasul Douglas no longer on the roster. The Bills recently signed Christian Benford to a four-year extension, but the team’s other long-term corner, Taron Johnson, has played almost exclusively in the slot throughout his career. While the Bills could still add another cornerback in the draft, signing White gives them a veteran presence who is very familiar with Sean McDermott‘s defense.
During his first stint in Buffalo, White was widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL when healthy. He started all 32 regular-season games across his first two years, which included a second-place finish in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2017. White then led the NFL with six interceptions in 2019, leading to recognition as a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro. That earned him a four-year, $69MM extension before the 2020 season, which featured another Pro Bowl nod. Injuries then limited White to just 21 starts over the next three years, leading to his release by the Bills after the 2023 season.
The base value of White’s deal remains unknown, but if it eclipses $3MM, the Ravens could receive an additional 2026 compensatory pick.
Saints T Ryan Ramczyk Retires From NFL
The Saints restructured Ryan Ramczyk‘s contract earlier this offseason, doing so after the accomplished right tackle did not play in 2024. That move was expected to precede a retirement, and the veteran blocker confirmed Thursday (via Instagram) he is done.
A knee injury led to retirement rumors swirling late in 2023, and with 2024 not becoming a bounce-back year for Ramczyk, he will call it quits as a one-team player. Ramczyk retires after spending seven seasons as New Orleans’ right tackle starter. He made 102 starts and earned three All-Pro honors.
Acquired with the pick the Patriots sent to the Saints for Brandin Cooks (No. 32 overall), Ramczyk was part of a draft class that helped reopen a Super Bowl window. The Saints acquired Ramczyk and Marshon Lattimore in the 2017 first round, Marcus Williams in the second and the Alvin Kamara–Alex Anzalone–Trey Hendrickson trio in the third. The team’s fortunes improved immediately, and Ramczyk became a bookend for Drew Brees‘ final batch of contending squads.
Transferring from Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Ramczyk impressed at Wisconsin and surged onto the first-round radar. The Saints paired him with Terron Armstead for five seasons, closing out the Sean Payton era with that tackle tandem excelling. While Armstead battled injuries during this period, Ramczyk proved durable early in his career. Ramczyk missed just one game from 2017-20; that period featured four Saints playoff berths and the team adding three more postseason wins.
This Saints era became known for agonizing near-misses — via the Minneapolis Miracle sequence that involved a Williams misplay and then the infamous missed pass interference call against the Rams that likely denied a Super Bowl LIII berth — but Ramczyk became an important cog and secured a lucrative extension as a result. Late in Payton’s final offseason at the helm, the Saints gave Ramczyk a five-year, $96MM deal that included $43MM at signing. That became an important sequence for Ramczyk, who missed seven games in 2021 and reached a point-of-no-return situation two years later.
Following a 16-start 2022 season, Ramczyk managed to play 12 games in 2023. but his battle with a cartilage defect in his knee proved too much to overcome. The Saints placed Ramczyk on IR to close out the ’23 season, and they moved him to the reserve/PUP list before training camp last year, ending his ’24 campaign before it started. That made the January restructure and Thursday’s retirement unsurprising, but it wraps the career of one of the best O-linemen in Saints history.
Ramczyk, 31 next week, earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2019; second-team accolades sandwiched it. Brees closed his career with one of the NFL’s top O-lines protecting him. Two members from that unit remain, with Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz still on their second Saints contracts. Armstead signed with the Dolphins in 2022, while Andrus Peat joined the Raiders in 2024. Armstead joins Ramczyk in having retired in April, walking away after 12 seasons (nine in New Orleans).
The Saints are expected to designate Ramczyk a post-June 1 cut to help save money, as the eight-year vet agreed to reduce his 2025 base salary ($18MM) to the veteran minimum. This created $16MM in Saints cap space, and the team will spread out his $23.1MM dead money hit over two offseasons. For his career, Ramczyk earned just more than $69MM. His 101 starts rank eighth in Saints history by an O-lineman; among tackles, only Stan Brock and Hall of Famer Willie Roaf rank ahead of him in career Saints starts.
Ravens Unsure On Future Of Mark Andrews
APRIL 17: The Ravens are cognizant that losing Andrews would hurt their 2025 roster, with The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec indicating the team will demand a solid return for the Pro Bowl tight end. Andrews’ status as a team leader also factors into the team’s thinking here.
APRIL 16: Veteran tight end Mark Andrews is heading into a contract year with the Ravens. On its surface, you take a look at Andrews’ three Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro history and think that this problem has an easy solution. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, though, isn’t as sure about how things will turn out. 
“I never know what’s going to happen,” DeCosta told ESPN’s Jamison Hensley in a pre-draft news conference, “and I would never want to say this or that. But I can tell you this: Mark Andrews is a warrior. He’s played his butt off for us.”
DeCosta isn’t wrong. In only seven seasons in Baltimore, Andrews is second all-time for the franchise in receiving yards (only 247 yards behind Derrick Mason) and holds the record for most touchdowns (rushing or receiving) in franchise history.
Coming in as a third-round pick in the same draft as Lamar Jackson and Hayden Hurst — both selected in the first round — Andrews outdueled Hurst for the primary tight end job and established an electric connection with Jackson. Just before 2021, the Ravens awarded Andrews with a four-year, $56MM extension. Andrews rewarded Baltimore in return with his strongest season to date, notching career highs in catches (107) and receiving yards (1,361).
That extension is now coming to an end, and while Andrews has continued to bring success to the field as one of the NFL’s best tight ends, he’s brought his share of bad memories, as well. As good as Andrews has been in the regular season, he has a tendency to disappear in the playoffs. The franchise’s touchdown leader has never scored in the postseason.
Despite being targeted 53 times, he’s only caught 29 playoff passes. According to Pro Football Reference‘s advanced statistics, he also has two drops and has seen three passes intended for him intercepted in postseason play. Recency bias can be dangerous, too, as this year’s playoff loss to the Bills saw him fumble the ball on a crucial drive and drop a game-tying two-point conversion.
These struggles when it matters most have been key in the arguments against retaining Andrews in Baltimore. Another factor is the emergence of third-year tight end Isaiah Likely, who seems to be improving year after year despite a continued role as TE2. Given more of a role in the offense, many believe Likely could be even more dangerous of a weapon than he’s displayed already. While Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Andrews as the fourth-best tight end in the league, Likely (seventh) wasn’t far behind. Even more impressive, the Ravens also roster third-year tight end Charlie Kolar, whose receiving grade ranked eighth in the NFL for tight ends, per PFF, in 2024.
So, with weapons like Likely and Kolar behind Andrews, should the Ravens let Andrews walk to see what could be waiting in his wake? It’s not hard to justify a new long-term deal for Andrews based on his regular season numbers, but if he continues to let his team down in the playoffs, fans are going to lament the money dedicated to the veteran.
With Likely and Kolar also heading into the final years of their rookie deals, DeCosta and company are going to have to make a decision about which tight ends they are going to decide to pay. Likely will likely fetch a high price on the free agent market, so it’ll be difficult to retain both. For now, DeCosta left things open-ended. Perhaps next week’s draft will illuminate a bit more about the team’s future at the position.