Of Boyle's 505 tight end snaps in 2017, he ran routes just 132 (26 percent) times. By comparison, Ben Watson had 428 snaps at tight end and ran routes 204 times (47 percent). Even with Watson gone now, it's clear how the Ravens view Boyle. He's great as a blocker and is reliable when thrown to (28 catches on 37 targets for 203 yards). Baltimore's decision to draft two pass-catching tight ends in the first three rounds shows that the team is more concerned with replacing Watson's receiving production than getting a blocking tight end. Rookies Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews will absorb Watson's role and targets while Boyle remains a fixture attached to the line as a blocker and occasional pass catcher.

It's almost by process of elimination at this point, but the fact remains that Boyle's value is on the upswing with all the attrition the Ravens have endured at the tight end. Dennis Pitta (hip) and Crockett Gillmore (knee) suffered season-ending injuries (Pitta has since been released) and the athletically gifted Darren Waller was served a year-long suspension. What does that leave? A 36-year-old Ben Watson coming off a torn Achilles, a underperforming Maxx Williams who is coming off major knee surgery, and camp body in Larry Donnell who was picked up off the scrap heap early in camp. Not that Boyle's background is without its own blemishes -- a 10-game suspension last season kept him largely in the doghouse even when eligible in 2016 -- but injuries haven't played a major role in his NFL career the way they have for some of Baltimore's other tight end targets. Boyle is often lauded for his tenacity at the point of attack, which should help him get on the field in run situations under new offensive assistant Greg Roman. Furthermore, even though it's a small sample, Boyle has shown reliable hands through his first two seasons, catching 24 of 29 targets for 197 yards. Boyle's path to being the No.2 tight end on the depth chart has opened up this offseason, making him a potential under-the-radar candidate to monitor early in the season on waiver wires.

Boyle, a fifth-round rookie, will likely open the season as Baltimore's No. 3 tight end, behind Crockett Gillmore and second-round rookie Maxx Williams. Boyle doesn't figure to have much impact as a receiver in the NFL.