There is a lot of worry among Mark Andrews fantasy managers. In 2019, 2021, and 2022, Mark Andrews was the Ravens leader in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs. Against the Chiefs, he was the fifth on the team for receptions and receiving yards with two catches and 14 yards. Especially concerning is that the other tight end, Isaiah Likely had 9 receptions for 111 yards and a score. Many are calling him the new TE1 in Baltimore. This being said, don’t panic on Mark Andrews.

Blocking

The Ravens lost three starters on the offensive line and it showed. Lamar Jackson was constantly running for his life while Derrick Henry and Justice Hill only averaged 3.5 and 3.0 yards per carry respectively. The Ravens needed their TEs to help block.

Double Teams

Andy Reid and Stephen Spagnuolo knew that Mark Andrews was the best weapon available to Lamar Jackson. They double or triple-teamed Mark Andrews throughout the game. When he wasn’t being double-teamed, it was generally because he was still around the line of scrimmage.

The Chiefs

The Chiefs defence was relentless. Chris Jones was terrorizing that offensive line. They also have a history of shutting down Mark Andrews. Let’s look at his PPR fantasy points ever against Kansas City:

• 2024: 3.4
• 2023: 3.5
• 2021: 10.5
• 2020: 5.2
• 2019: 4.5

The Chiefs clearly know how to eliminate him from the game script. Games against the Chiefs aren’t representative of how Mark Andrews regularly performs. His best fantasy performance was for 10.5 PPR points. For context, the only season Andrews has ever averaged below that was his rookie season.

The Tape

There were concerns about Mark Andrews’ age and his recovery from his recent car accident. However, Mark Andrews looked fine. He just isn’t good enough to fully beat a good defence game planning him out.

Wrap-Up

People always overreact to week 1 games. This applies even more so to opening games since everyone’s eyes are on that first game. This is a great time to buy low on Mark Andrews and to sell high on Isaiah Likely.

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