Choosing between Mark Andrews and Taysom Hill involves evaluating two distinct player archetypes, despite both often qualifying for the Tight End (TE) position in fantasy formats. Their roles, production methods, and consistency levels differ significantly.
Mark Andrews
Primary Role: Elite Receiving Tight End
Mark Andrews is a traditional, high-volume pass-catching tight end. He serves as a primary target in the Baltimore Ravens’ offense, particularly in the red zone and critical passing situations. His value is derived from consistent target share and receiving production.
Strengths:
- Target Volume: Consistently ranks among the league leaders for tight ends in targets, receptions, and receiving yards when healthy.
- Red Zone Threat: A premier touchdown scorer due to his usage near the goal line and strong connection with his quarterback.
- Reliable Production: Offers a high weekly floor due to his established role and pass-catching prowess.
- Proven Performer: Has a track record of multiple seasons as a top-tier TE.
Considerations:
- Injury History: Has faced periods of absence or reduced effectiveness due to injuries.
- Offensive Scheme Dependency: Production is linked to the overall effectiveness and pass-centricity of the Ravens’ offense.
Overall Profile: Andrews represents a high-floor, high-ceiling option at the TE position, valued for his consistent involvement and scoring upside within a conventional tight end role.
Taysom Hill
Primary Role: Utility Offensive Weapon
Taysom Hill’s primary value, especially with TE eligibility, comes from his versatile deployment across various offensive positions, including quarterback, running back, and receiver, in addition to special teams contributions. He is not a traditional receiving tight end.
Strengths:
- Rushing Upside: Generates significant fantasy points through designed runs, particularly as a quarterback, and short-yardage carries.
- Goal-Line Usage: Frequently deployed by the New Orleans Saints in scoring situations, leading to rushing touchdown opportunities.
- Positional Advantage: Gaining TE eligibility while taking snaps that yield QB/RB statistics provides a unique fantasy edge.
- Unpredictable “Boom” Potential: His varied usage can lead to high-scoring weeks if he’s heavily involved in the game plan, especially as a rusher or passer.
Considerations:
- Inconsistent Role: Weekly usage is highly variable and game-plan dependent, resulting in a very low floor for traditional TE statistics (receptions, receiving yards).
- Low Receiving Volume: Minimal involvement as a conventional pass-catcher.
- Touchdown Dependency: Often relies heavily on scoring touchdowns, primarily rushing, for significant fantasy output.
Overall Profile: Hill is a high-variance, boom-or-bust option whose fantasy value is intrinsically tied to his TE eligibility and rushing/gadget play involvement. His week-to-week output can be erratic.
Comparative Analysis
Mark Andrews offers reliable, high-end production through conventional tight end metrics. He is a foundational receiving asset.
Taysom Hill provides an unconventional path to fantasy relevance at the TE position, leveraging rushing statistics and unpredictable, explosive plays. His TE eligibility is the key to his unique value.
The choice depends on strategic priorities: Andrews for consistent, elite receiving production; Hill for volatile, high-upside potential derived from a non-traditional role. For most contexts prioritizing consistent TE output, Andrews is the more standard and typically safer selection.
