2018 NFL Draft prospect profile: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

The New York Giants have several needs on the offensive side of the ball, but tight end probably isn’t one of them. After signing Rhett Ellison, drafting Evan Engram and Jerell Adams, as well as claiming Kyle Carter off of waivers from the Vikings, the Giants are set at the tight end position.

However it still pays to be familiar with as many players as possible in the lead up to the draft, because you never quite know what is going to happen.

With that in mind, here is Mark Andrews of Oklahoma, who is strongly in the conversation to be the top tight end in the draft.

Measurables

Pros

• Prototypical size and frame for the position.
• Big and athletic enough to produce match-up problems for defenses.
• Played both attached to the line of scrimmage and split out as a slot receiver.
• Flashes an understanding of angles and body positioning as a blocker.
• Able to find and exploit holes in coverage.
• Reliable hands catcher.
• Imposing red zone target. Caught a touchdown on 1 in 5 red zone receptions

Cons

• Needs to get better at blocking with authority.
• Route running can improve. Too often rounds out his routes.
• Good athlete, but not elite in speed or agility.
• Type 1 diabetic.

Prospect Video

What They’re Saying

COMPARES TO: Zach Ertz, Eagles - Like the 6-5, 250 pound Ertz (who played his collegiate ball at Stanford), Andrews played in a tight end-friendly offense at Oklahoma, allowing him to rack up impressive numbers. Neither is the glass-eating 6th offensive lineman some teams are looking for at tight end but each possesses the agility and speed to threaten the seam, as well as the ultra-soft hands to excel in the red zone.

- Rob Rang (NFLDraftScout)

Final Thoughts

Mark Andrews embodies much of what the NFL now looks for in a tight end. He is big, athletic, a talented pass catcher, and a match-up problem in the receiving game. He isn’t much of a blocker (yet), but he does enough to keep second level defenders from getting to the play, and that’s good enough.

Andrews is a former receiver, and it shows in his game. Where tight ends used to be more like undersized tackles, he moves like a skill-position player, and can make things happen in the open field. Andrews also shows the ability to consistently find holes and gaps in the defense and make himself available for his quarterback before turning upfield. It would be nice to see him take the competitive toughness he shows with the ball in his hands, fighting for more yards through contact or to run after the catch, and apply it to his blocking.

His diabetes has to be a concern for teams, but from what I’ve been able to gather he has been able to control it and he certainly wouldn’t be the first diabetic NFL player.

Andrews is unlikely to become a Giant. As it stands now, he is either a first round talent or a high second round pick. After investing as much as they have in the tight end position, it is unlikely the Giants would invest more premium resources. In fact, they should hope to see as little of him as possible.