Mark Andrews didn't just walk onto the field; he reclaimed it. Honestly, if you watched the Ravens last season, you saw a team that basically treats the tight end position like a Swiss Army knife that also happens to be a sledgehammer. Most NFL teams are lucky if they have one guy who can catch a seam route without tripping over his own feet. Baltimore? They’ve got a stable. It’s not just about having "guys" on the roster; it’s about how Todd Monken uses the Ravens TE depth chart to manipulate defenses into absolute submission.
When people talk about the Ravens' offense, they usually start and end with Lamar Jackson. That’s fair. He’s a two-time MVP. But look closer at the tape from the 2024-2025 stretch. The real magic happens because of the vertical and horizontal stress created by the big bodies. We’re talking about a unit that dictates personnel. If you go nickel, they run over you. If you go base, they outrun you. It's a nightmare.
The King Stays King: Mark Andrews and the Power of Chemistry
Mark Andrews remains the focal point of the Ravens TE depth chart, and anyone suggesting otherwise hasn't been paying attention to the red zone targets. He’s Lamar’s security blanket. It’s that simple. There’s a specific kind of non-verbal communication between those two—a "scramble drill" telepathy—that you just can't coach. When the pocket collapses, Andrews doesn't just run a route; he finds the open grass in the chaos.
He’s elite.
Despite the injuries that have cropped up over the last couple of seasons, Andrews' efficiency remains through the roof. He isn't the fastest guy in the league. He’s not even the most athletic tight end in his own locker room anymore. But his hand-fighting at the top of the route and his ability to box out defenders like a power forward makes him nearly impossible to cover one-on-one. Defensive coordinators often try to bracket him, which is exactly what the Ravens want. Why? Because it leaves the rest of the field wide open for the "other" guys.
Isaiah Likely is Not a Backup
Calling Isaiah Likely a "backup" is sort of like calling a Ferrari a "backup car" just because you have a Lamborghini in the driveway. It's technically true, but it misses the point entirely. Likely proved during Andrews’ absence that he is a starting-caliber talent on about 28 other NFL teams. He’s a different beast altogether. While Andrews is the master of the intermediate middle, Likely is a dynamic, after-the-catch weapon who moves like a wide receiver.
His breakout performance against the Bengals—and that insane catch-and-run against the Jaguars—weren't flukes.
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The Ravens have leaned heavily into "12 personnel" (one running back, two tight ends) because of him. It’s the ultimate chess move. When Andrews and Likely are on the field together, who do you cover? If you put a linebacker on Likely, he’s going to win that footrace ten times out of ten. If you put a safety on him, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to the run or letting Andrews bully a smaller cornerback. Monken has been masterful at lining Likely up in the slot, out wide, or even in the backfield. He is the "X-factor" that makes this depth chart the deepest in professional football.
The Dirty Work: Charlie Kolar and the Grunt Factor
Then there's Charlie Kolar. Poor Charlie. He’s the guy who does the stuff nobody sees on the highlight reels but every coach obsesses over in the film room. On the Ravens TE depth chart, Kolar is the "Y" that provides the backbone for the rushing attack.
He’s huge.
Coming out of Iowa State, the knock was whether he could hold up as an in-line blocker in the NFL. He’s answered that. While he doesn't get the 10-target games that Andrews gets, his value in the "heavy" sets is massive. He’s a reliable pass-catcher, too. If the defense forgets about him—which they often do because they're terrified of 89 and 80—Kolar will leak out on a play-action bootleg and pick up an easy 15 yards. He’s the insurance policy that ensures the offense doesn't lose its identity if one of the stars needs a breather.
Why the "Ravens TE Depth Chart" is Built Differently
Most teams build their depth charts to have a starter and a replacement. The Ravens build theirs to have a rotation of specialists. It’s a philosophy.
General Manager Eric DeCosta and the front office have doubled down on this position because they know it’s the most difficult one for modern, "light" NFL defenses to handle. As linebackers have gotten smaller to keep up with the league's speed, the Ravens have stayed big. It’s a zig when everyone else zags.
Breaking Down the Roles
- The Target Monster (Andrews): He’s the guy Lamar looks for on 3rd and 7. He wins with leverage and hands.
- The Matchup Nightmare (Likely): He’s the guy who turns a 5-yard drag route into a 40-yard touchdown. He wins with twitch and speed.
- The Edge Setter (Kolar): He’s the guy who seals the linebacker so Derrick Henry can get to the second level. He wins with frame and technique.
This isn't just about talent; it's about redundancy and versatility. If Andrews goes down, the offense doesn't have to change its playbook. They just shift the primary reads to Likely. That kind of stability is rare in a league where one injury usually tanks an entire unit's production.
Misconceptions About the Passing Volume
One thing people get wrong is thinking that having this many tight ends hurts the wide receivers. It’s actually the opposite. Zay Flowers has thrived specifically because the Ravens TE depth chart demands so much attention from safeties. When a safety has to cheat toward the middle of the field to help on a Mark Andrews seam route, it leaves Flowers in single coverage on the perimeter.
You've gotta look at the "gravity" these players have. Andrews has the highest gravity on the team. He pulls defenders toward him, creating voids elsewhere. Even when he isn't catching the ball, he’s "open" in the sense that he’s creating space for someone else.
The Patrick Ricard Effect
We can't talk about the tight end room without mentioning Patrick Ricard, even if he’s technically a fullback. In Baltimore's world, the lines are blurred. Ricard often aligns as a wing or a tight end, and he functions as a fourth member of that unit. He is a 300-pound wrecking ball. When you combine Ricard’s blocking with the receiving threats of the tight ends, you get a "heavy" look that still has the capability to pass out of any formation.
It’s an old-school approach with a new-school spread-offense brain.
What This Means for the 2025-2026 Season
Expect more "13 personnel" (three tight ends). Seriously.
With the emergence of younger talent and the veteran savvy of the established stars, the Ravens are in a position to dominate the middle of the field like never before. The league is currently obsessed with "quarters" coverage and two-high safety looks to stop the deep ball. The antidote to that is a dominant tight end room that can chew up the soft underbelly of the defense.
Baltimore doesn't just have a good depth chart; they have a blueprint.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
To truly understand how this unit functions on game day, keep an eye on these specific indicators:
- Watch the Alignment of Isaiah Likely: If he’s lined up as the "No. 1" receiver (the widest guy on the field), the Ravens are looking for a specific mismatch against a cornerback who isn't used to tackling a guy that size.
- Observe the "Mesh" Concepts: The Ravens love crossing Andrews and Likely underneath. It forces defenders to communicate at high speeds, which often leads to "rub" plays or missed assignments.
- The "Heavy" Look on 1st Down: Pay attention to how often Kolar and Ricard are on the field together. This usually signals a run, but if they play-action out of it, the tight ends will almost always be the primary targets.
- Personnel Tracking: Use sites like Pro Football Focus or Next Gen Stats to track the percentage of snaps the Ravens spend in "12" and "13" personnel. If that number stays above 30%, they are controlling the rhythm of the game.
The Ravens TE depth chart is the most stable and dangerous part of their roster. While other teams scramble to find one decent starter, Baltimore is busy figuring out how to get three of them on the field at the same time. It’s a luxury, sure, but it’s also a calculated strategic advantage that keeps them at the top of the AFC North.
Keep an eye on the injury reports, as health is the only thing that can slow this group down. But even then, the depth is so significant that a "next man up" mentality actually works here. They aren't just replacing bodies; they're replacing stars with future stars.
Next Steps for Deep Analysis:
To see this in action, watch the Week 1 condensed highlights from the previous season and count how many times Lamar Jackson's first read is a tight end versus a wide receiver. You'll likely find that in high-leverage situations, the ball goes to the big men over 60% of the time. This confirms that the depth chart isn't just a list of names—it's the primary engine of the Ravens' aerial attack.