Baltimore Ravens rookie tight end Matt Hibner deserves some acclaim for his fourth-quarter two-yard touchdown reception in the recent 34-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Hibner hasn’t had his number called much through three contests, but his preparation has been praiseworthy after he proved his poise in the big moment.
Hibner has been targeted only three times this season and has caught each one. Under the mentorship of veteran tight end Mark Andrews, Hibner is learning the position and working to become a reliable asset for offensive coordinator DeClan Doyle. Hibner offers quarterback Lamar Jackson a much-needed underneath option in the passing game and can work well as a stealth target amid the attention given to Andrews and other offensive playmakers
on the Ravens roster.
Hibner’s two catches for 23 yards against the Cowboys should encourage Doyle to give tight end Durham Smythe fewer opportunities and defer to a younger, more agile option. Hibner’s maturation depends on whether the coaching staff will abandon its belief that veterans offer a better chance of success and instead adopt a mentality that lets younger players show why they were selected so highly in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens rookie Matt Hibner delivered when his number was called
