Welcome back to another Ravens rookie scouting report. Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) already covered the first three picks, with fourth-round (No. 133 overall) tight end Matthew Hibner up next!
- Vega Ioane (G, Penn State, No. 14 overall)
- Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri, No. 45 overall)
- Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC, No. 80 overall)
Short/Long-Term Projection
With the departures of Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, along with the loss of key blocking presence Pat Ricard this offseason, the Ravens entered the year with a need for additional versatility and physicality in their tight end room. Hibner projects as an immediate contributor in a blocking role,
helping fill part of the void left by Kolar and Ricard while complementing the skill sets of Mark Andrews, Durham Smythe, and Cuevas as a dependable rotational piece. Long term, he profiles as a multifaceted Y tight end with alignment versatility and developmental upside. As his all-around game continues to progress, Hibner has the potential to develop into Baltimore’s future starting tight end.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Hibner projects as a highly effective in-line blocker with strong technical refinement, consistently displaying quality hand placement, leverage, and angle discipline to seal defenders and sustain blocks. He is particularly impactful in the screen game, where he routinely overwhelms smaller defensive backs and clears running lanes for ball carriers in space. In pass protection, he proved dependable, surrendering just a 2.4% pressure rate across 84 pass blocking snaps, demonstrating competency in handling protection responsibilities. As a receiver, Hibner offers reliable hands, posting just a 2.5% drop rate per TruMedia, while his impressive 77 5/8-inch wingspan expands his catch radius and ability to finish through contact. He excels at attacking the seam, making contested catches behind linebackers, and consistently shows strong spatial awareness with an understanding of how to leverage space against defenders. Athletically, Hibner possesses an intriguing profile, highlighted by a 4.50 forty-yard dash, 28 bench press reps, and a 37-inch vertical jump, giving him a strong blend of size, explosiveness, and functional strength.
While Hibner is an effective blocker overall, his initial contact absorption remains an area for improvement, as he can occasionally give ground at the start of reps before re-establishing positioning. Additionally, he lacks elite agility and route precision, which can limit his effectiveness creating separation and executing sharper breaks within the route tree.
Scheme Fit
Hibner projects as a versatile chess piece within the Ravens’ offensive scheme, providing offensive coordinator Doyle with alignment flexibility across multiple formations. He has the capability to line up as a flanker, detached from the offensive tackle, in the backfield, in the slot, as an in-line Y tight end, or split out wide, allowing Baltimore to create matchup advantages and vary its approach against different defensive fronts. His effectiveness as a blocker enhances the offense’s schematic versatility, giving the Ravens added flexibility in both the run and screen game. As a receiver, Hibner also offers intriguing red-zone upside, where his large frame, catch radius, and explosiveness can make him a reliable scoring threat in contested situations.
Intangibles
Hibner brings a unique blend of athleticism, versatility, and maturity that adds significant value beyond his on-field production. His elite athletic profile, highlighted by a 9.25 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), provides him with the movement skills and physical upside to contribute in multiple facets of an offense. In an era where traditional in-line Y tight ends are becoming increasingly rare as offenses prioritize speed and spacing, Hibner’s ability to function effectively in a traditional role while maintaining alignment versatility gives him added roster and schematic value. He has also demonstrated a strong developmental mindset, stating that his goal during his rookie season is to be a “sponge” and absorb as much knowledge as possible from veteran leaders in the room, including Andrews. Additionally, Hibner enters Baltimore with preexisting familiarity through his connection to coach Minter from their time at Michigan, giving him an established relationship and foundational understanding that could ease his transition into the Ravens’ system.
Comparisons: Hunter Henry, Maxx Williams
