Time to treat Mark Andrews like a failed fantasy football spin-off

A lot of people loved the “Cheers” spinoff “Frasier” during its original run from 1993-2004. So when it had a revival in 2023, “Frasier” fans were predictably excited.

The 1996 film “Independence Day” was a blockbuster hit, and moviegoers everywhere were eager for a sequel. That long-awaited follow-up finally arrived in 2016 with much interest among fans.

Only, the ID4 sequel was a massive dud — among critics and at the box office. That “Frasier” revival, apparently it is getting a second season, but there is so little chatter that even us huge “Cheers” fans haven’t heard if the new show is any good or not — plus it is hiding on a streaming network we don’t have.

The point being: All returns are not triumphant. Sometimes they fall flat. They could be almost invisible, like “Frasier.” Or they could be complete disasters, like “Independence Day: Resurgence.”

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered a season-ending ankle injury in November last season. His return this season hit a speed bump when he was involved in a car crash during training camp.

Yet, come Week 1, he was ready to go. And fantasy managers were ready to return to enjoying the ample, steady production he had provided for the bulk of his career, right up until his 2023 injury.

Only, instead, he has been a “Frasier” revival this season. First, he was barely used in the opener — two catches for 14 yards on two targets. But … he missed the end of training camp, so a slow start was expected. No worries.

In Week 2, things were looking up: 4-for-51 on five targets. We’re on the way. He’s going to be back to himself in the next couple of games. Only, the next couple of games, he totaled zero catches for zero yards on a combined two targets.

He was as close to invisible as could be. He was averaging 3.1 points per week in PPR, after averaging 15 in games he finished last season.

“The Matrix” was a groundbreaking event when it was released in 1999. Even the first sequel was still good, only for the third to be a huge letdown in 2003. Then, some 18 years later, a fourth installment arrived in 2021. Would it be red pill or blue pill?

It fell flat. It relied too much on nostalgia bait. And it barely looked like a “Matrix” movie. It was “Matrix” in name but not in appearance.

The 2024 version of Mark Andrews is going to be a “Matrix Resurrection” of the original Mark Andrews.

But wait! … you say? Andrews has averaged 12.6 in PPR over the past two games. True, but one of those did include his lone touchdown this season — otherwise he has averaged just 9.6 the past two weeks.

He has one score in six games. So if you need a TD to make his results playable on your roster, that isn’t going to happen often. Including his one score, he still is averaging a meager 6.3 per week this season.

We’re in Week 6, and he ranks TE29, and that is without missing any time. And that is during a shockingly weak season at the position. He trails the top producing tight end on his own team by nearly 20 fantasy points.

Look, almost all of us want him to be more “Top Gun: Maverick” than “Dumb & Dumber, To,” but there is no reason to believe we’re going to get the blockbuster version of Andrews at this point.

In years past, he was the top receiving target on the Ravens. That is no longer the case. Zay Flowers is the clear go-to option. Andrews ranks fifth on the team in targets — behind even backup running back Justice Hill.

Add the addition of Derrick Henry to provide a more reliable running game, and there is less need to pass. So fewer passes, with a much smaller percentage going to Andrews. What do you have?

You have a tight end you want to get rid of. See if you can find a buyer based on his Week 6 production spike. Sell a resurgence by this maverick tight end, even if you know there will be no fantasy resurrection.

Get ’em while you can! 

Caleb Williams QB, Bears 

He was closer to Bryce Young the first two games, but closer to Jayden Daniels the past two. He isn’t going to be as productive as Daniels, but he you can play Williams now. 

Tank Bigsby RB, Jaguars 

D’Ernest Johnson got a surprising amount of work after Travis Etienne Jr. went down with a hamstring issue? An anomaly. Bigbsy has been solid so far, and we expect Johnson to take a back seat to him as long as Etienne is out. 

DeMario Douglas WR, Patriots 

Six catches for 92 yards and a TD on nine targets with new QB Drake Maye is encouraging. Don’t put him in your starting lineup, but he is worthy of being on your roster. 

Grant Calcaterra TE, Eagles 

Calcaterra should get the bulk of his work while Dallas Geodert, TE4 on the season, is sidelined with a hamstring injury. 

We’re not buying it 

Sean Tucker RB, Buccaneers 

Consider Tucker the Bucs’ version of D’Ernest Johnson. We don’t think his Week 6 use (14-for-136, one TD) will continue at the expense of Bucky Irving. 

Gabe Davis WR, Jaguars 

He had one of his big games Sunday — 5-for-45 with two TDs. reminder: He scored in single digits in PPR the first five games. He is who we thought he was.: Occasional feast among a lot of famine 

Romeo Doubs WR, Packers 

Had a big fantasy day, buoyed by two touchdowns. But he had just three catches and four targets. There’s Jayden Reed, then all other Packers WRs, and none of the “others” are going to be reliable. 

Betting on the NFL?

Josh Downs WR, Colts 

If Joe Flacco was to remain QB, we like Downs’ outlook. But Anthony Richardson is going to be back. And when he returns, no Colts WR will be dependable.