Baltimore traded up for SMU tight end Matthew Hibner, betting his field-stretching upside can replace lost production.
SMU tight end Matthew Hibner didn’t just get drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. He made them break tendency.
Baltimore moved up 21 spots to select Hibner at No. 133 overall in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a notable move for a franchise that usually prefers trading back and collecting picks.
For SMU football, it’s a major NFL validation moment after Hibner used his time with the Mustangs to become a legitimate pro prospect.
The Ravens’ urgency made sense. A run on tight ends had thinned the board, and Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta believed Hibner was one of the few remaining players at the position who could help right away.
His athleticism, catch radius and ability to stretch defenses were major selling points.
That’s exactly what Hibner showed at SMU.
After beginning his college career at Michigan, where he caught only two passes for 15 yards, Hibner found a much bigger role with the Mustangs.
Across his final two college seasons, he totaled 55 receptions for 804 yards and eight touchdowns, proving he could attack seams, work the middle of the field and create chunk plays.
Baltimore clearly sees shades of Isaiah Likely in Hibner’s skill set.
That comparison matters because Likely became a dangerous pass-catching tight end for the Ravens before leaving in free agency. Charlie Kolar also departed, leaving Baltimore with real snaps to replace at the position.
Hibner isn’t the only rookie tight end joining the room. The Ravens also drafted Alabama’s Josh Cuevas in the fifth round, giving Baltimore a new developmental duo after losing established veterans.
For Hibner, the opportunity is real. He’s not being brought in as a luxury pick.
The Ravens traded up because they believe he can compete for a role quickly, especially as a receiving threat who can line up in multiple spots.
SMU gave Hibner the platform to show what he could do. Baltimore gave him the clearest sign possible that it believed the tape.
Now the former Mustang gets a chance to prove the Ravens were right to go get him.