SMU's Matthew Hibner joins an elite Ravens tight end group, poised to learn from Mark Andrews and become a vertical receiving threat.
DALLAS - Is SMU's Matthew Hibner going to replace a legend in Baltimore?
We will tap the brakes on that one.
But can he learn from Mark Andrews, one of the all-time great Ravens?
That's a fit.
After an impressive NFL Scouting Combine that saw him post a 4.57 40-yard dash, Hibner moved himself onto the radar of several NFL teams. ... including the Ravens, who on Saturday used pick No. 133 overall to select him.
Oh, and they wanted him badly enough that they traded up for him.
Amid some rumors of Dallas Cowboys interest ...
The Ravens took Hibner with the No. 133 overall pick in the fourth round of the draft, and here's how: Baltimore sent its fifth-round pick (No. 154) along with a 2027 sixth-rounder to secure Hibner.
With Hibner switching from Michigan to SMU in 2024, we quickly got a glimpse of his talents.
While the stats don't show an extremely productive tight end (in two seasons, 804 yards, 8 TDs), it was Matthew's ability to shine as a receiver and, more importantly, be a vertical threat in the passing game that made him a candidate to watch throughout the draft process.
Hibner does check that box.
He averaged 15.3 yards per reception in 2024 and 14.1 yards per reception last season, so he's a chain-mover. The Ravens will love that.
We know that Ravens QB Lamar Jackson loves connecting on seam routes with Andrews; well, maybe Hibner can do that as well.
Set to make the transition to the NFL as a receiving tight end, more so than a blocking tight end, it is clear that after his Combine, NFL teams took a liking to Hibner.
He was always projected to be a Day 3 selection, and that means an uphill climb for Hibner.
But either way, Hibner, after a stellar offseason, has put himself in a great position ... to now learn from one of the best in the game.