Who Should I Start? Mark Andrews or Darnell Washington

Saturday, September 26, 4:13 AM

Baltimore Ravens veteran tight end Mark Andrews hauled in six of his seven targets for 49 yards in the team's 17-24 home opener loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. While this stat line did not completely sink managers who started him, it left many disappointed. Andrews was projected as a high-end TE1 in Week 2 based primarily on optimism of an increased workload due to an early rash of wide receiver injuries that plagued the offense. Interestingly, with wide receivers Zay Flowers (hamstring) and Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) both missing Week 2, Andrews did not see substantive increases in targets (7 up from 6) or snap share (71% down from 72%) compared to Week 1 when those two pass catchers were on the field. The only marked difference was that he ran 27 routes in Week 2, which was up from 21 routes in the season opener. This suggests Andrews may see a slight bump in opportunities through injuries to the receiving corps via routes. Still, he is not the primary beneficiary in terms of targets if Flowers misses another game this weekend. Andrews and the Ravens are heading to Brazil to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. The Cowboys defense has been hot and cold through two weeks against the tight end position. They gave up an overall TE1 performance to Isaiah Likely in Week 1, by way of eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, but kept the Commanders' tight ends to just three total fantasy points in Week 2. With opportunities and a potentially vulnerable defense to tight ends, Andrews projects as a low-end TE1 with a modest floor in Week 3 against the Cowboys.