OTL: A Look at the Ravens’ Revamped TE Room

Tight end was a position that saw a massive overhaul in Baltimore this offseason.

One could argue that change was warranted, after Ravens tight ends combined for just 871 receiving yards in 2025, the lowest since the 2020 season.

The sole constant on the roster year over year is the room’s leader, Mark Andrews.

Andrews, a three-time Pro-Bowler and one-time All-Pro, received a three-year extension from the team shortly before wrapping up arguably the worst season of his eight-year career. The 30-year-old finished 2025 with career lows in receiving yards (422), yards per reception (8.8), yards per game (24.8) and yards after catch (103).

Ravens Flock watched helplessly as the struggling Andrews’ supporting cast departed from the team in free agency.

Isaiah Likely followed former Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh to the New York Giants on a three-year deal reminiscent of Andrews’, while fellow former fourth-round pick Charlie Kolar took his talents out west to the Los Angeles Chargers.

With tight ends being such a crucial aspect of offensive success since two-time MVP Lamar Jackson took over the reins as the Ravens’ starting quarterback, general manager Eric DeCosta was tasked with revamping the unit in a way that would generate more production than last season.

Andrews is locked up in Charm City through the 2028 NFL season, so a passing of the torch seems like something that will happen later down the line, barring injuries or severe performance declines. However, a new set of young rookies at the position mixed with a veteran presence provide some encouragement for the future of Ravens tight ends.

Let’s assess the position!

Durham Smythe

Eight-year NFL veteran

One of the first moves of Baltimore’s free agency spree was reuniting veteran tight end Durham Smythe with the team’s new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The two spent last season together with the Chicago Bears.

Prior to that, Smythe played seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins, logging 74 starts in 112 games. In his Miami career, the 30-year-old accumulated 1,228 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

A durable veteran, Smythe has never missed more than one game in a season throughout his eight-year NFL career. He has been featured in all 17 games in each of his last two seasons.

Smythe likely offers a dependable replacement to Kolar as a primary blocking tight end. The former fourth-round pick recorded 208 blocking snaps for Chicago a season ago, with 175 of those coming from run blocking.

Before 2024, Smythe recorded upwards of 300 blocking snaps for five consecutive seasons. The writing is on the wall with this addition. You know exactly what to expect.

Matthew Hibner

133rd Pick in 2026 NFL Draft

The Ravens sent the 154th overall pick and a 2027 sixth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers in order to jump up to No. 133 in this year’s draft.

While many thought the acquisition of a center was imminent, DeCosta and company selected their first of two tight ends in the draft, adding SMU’s Matthew Hibner to the roster.

In fact, DeCosta believes Hibner is ready to assume an immediate role as a backup pass-catching tight end, which was previously held by Likely in each of the past four seasons.

The 24-year-old tallied a career-high 351 receiving yards last season with the Mustangs. Before his time with SMU, Hibner spent 2021 to 2023 with the Michigan Wolverines, who had Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter as their defensive coordinator for two of those seasons.

The fourth-round selection also possesses heavy pass blocking upside, posting the best pass blocking grade (82.8) among college tight ends with at least 200 blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

With the aggressive decision to go get him, you can bank on Hibner playing a key role in the passing game should Andrews continue his steady decay in production.

Josh Cuevas

173rd Pick in 2026 NFL Draft

DeCosta doubled down on the position, selecting Alabama Josh Cuevas in the fifth round.

Similar to Hibner, Cuevas recorded 411 receiving yards on 37 receptions with the Crimson Tide last season. A former member of Washington and Cal Poly, the 22-year-old has accumulated 1,481 receiving yards in his college career.

Cuevas joined his fellow rookie teammate in the top 10 for best pass blocking grades among college tight ends, ranking at ninth (76.8).

The decision to add another young asset to the room gives Baltimore much-needed insurance in the pass game after a lackluster season from the team’s tight ends.

Two years younger than Hibner, Cuevas also offers another potential tight end successor as Andrews enters his ninth NFL season.

Ty Pezza

2026 Undrafted Free Agent

The room is rounded out by Brown’s Ty Pezza, who signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.

A former wide receiver, Pezza totaled 588 receiving yards on 13.1 yards per catch with seven touchdowns last season. The 23-year-old etched a career-high 58 receptions for the Bears in 2025.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 225 lbs, Pezza offers more receiving insurance at the bottom of the position.

With Baltimore unlikely to carry five tight ends on its roster next season, though it is possible, the Rhode Island-native will likely make his contributions for Baltimore’s practice squad should he earn a spot after training camp.

The post OTL: A Look at the Ravens’ Revamped TE Room appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/05/18/out-to-lunch/new-tight-end-room/