Ravens Trade for SMU Tight End Matthew Hibner in 2026 NFL Draft

The late bloomer no one saw coming

The Baltimore Ravens just handed over a fifth-round pick and a future sixth-rounder to jump eight spots in the fourth round for a tight end from SMU who spent four years riding Michigan's bench.^[1][2][3] It's the kind of move that screams desperation after losing Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in the offseason, leaving Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe as the lone options at the position.^[3] But here's the twist: this isn't panic. It's a calculated grab for Matthew Hibner, a 6-foot-5 weapon who turned heads late, posting 55 catches for 804 yards and eight scores over two seasons at SMU—numbers that stack up against top tight end prospects while costing a fraction of what a first-rounder would.^[1]

Hibner's story reads like a draftnik's fever dream. Four seasons at Michigan with next to no snaps, then a transfer to SMU in 2026 where he finally broke out.^[3][4] By his senior year, he was hauling in 31 passes for 436 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 14.1 yards per catch—efficient production that scouts say translates to the pros.^[3] The Ravens didn't just stumble into this; they traded their No. 154 overall pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 133 slot on April 26, 2026, snagging Hibner right there in Round 4.^[1][2][3][4] In a league where tight ends like Andrews command $15 million a year on the open market, Baltimore's bet on a Day 3 flyer feels like finding a steal in the clearance bin.

The void that forced a move

Baltimore's tight end room looked threadbare heading into the 2026 draft. With Likely and Kolar gone, the Ravens were down to Andrews, the Pro Bowl anchor who's entering his prime, and Smythe, a reliable but unspectacular backup from Miami.^[3] That's a thin margin for error in a scheme built around versatile tight ends who can block, catch, and create mismatches. Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle, known for scheming open looks for his pass-catchers, saw Hibner as the fix—a player who lines up inline, in the slot, or even out wide, forcing defenses to adjust on the fly.^[1][2]

Hibner's versatility isn't hype. At SMU, he showed he could seal the edge on run plays while stretching the seam as a receiver.^[1][2] The Ravens peg him for immediate help on special teams, too, with 703 career snaps in that phase—more than double what some early-round tight ends log in college.^[2] It's the kind of multi-tool utility that fits Baltimore's gritty, do-it-all ethos. And in a draft class loaded with flashy receivers, Hibner's blocking chops stand out; he's the guy who'll pancake a linebacker so Andrews can rumble for extra yards.

Scouts rave about his fit in Doyle's system. Dane Brugler of The Athletic called Hibner well-rounded, with scheme flexibility that screams Day 2 or 3 value, plus untapped special teams upside.^[2] Emory Hunt went further, slapping an A-plus grade on the pick and dubbing him the top inline tight end in the class—high praise in a group headlined by bigger names from Alabama and Ohio State.^[5] For a team that's won with homegrown talent like Andrews (a third-rounder in 2018 who exploded for 701 yards as a rookie), Hibner represents continuity at a bargain.

Testing the hype at the Senior Bowl and Combine

Hibner's pre-draft workouts flipped the script on his late-bloomer status. At the Senior Bowl in January 2026, he held his own against top defenders, winning reps in one-on-ones and flashing the hands to snag contested balls.^[3] It was his first real taste of elite competition outside the ACC, and he didn't just survive—he thrived, proving the SMU tape wasn't a fluke.

Then came the NFL Combine in March. Hibner clocked a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash, solid for a 250-pounder, earning a 9.25 Relative Athletic Score that slots him 110th among tight ends dating back decades.^[3] Not elite speed, but enough burst to threaten vertically, especially when paired with his 36-inch arms for prying open catches. The Ravens, who prioritize traits over raw stats, saw a player who could develop into Andrews' security blanket without the rookie contract eating into cap space.

Why the trade-up pays dividends now

Trading up eight spots in Round 4 might seem aggressive for a tight end—not a premium position like quarterback or edge rusher—but the cost was peanuts compared to the value.^[1][2] The No. 154 pick might have netted a rotational depth piece; instead, Baltimore got a starter-in-waiting for special teams and blocking duties right away. Hibner's 703 special teams snaps mean he won't redshirt; he'll contribute on punts and kicks from Week 1, buying time for his receiving game to polish up.

The Ravens' history with tight ends backs this play. Andrews was a third-round reach who became a star; Patrick Ricard evolved from fullback to hybrid monster. Hibner fits that mold: a willing blocker first, with receiver traits that popped at SMU.^[1][2] He hopes to step into the shoes of Likely and Kolar directly, providing that multi-faceted threat Doyle craves.^[1] In a division with mobile quarterbacks like the Steelers' Kenny Pickett successor, a tight end who can handle blitzes and chip on the edge is gold.

Dry irony creeps in when you consider Hibner's Michigan days: buried behind a loaded roster, he transferred just as SMU's offense clicked for him. Four years of tape from Ann Arbor? Nonexistent. But that's the NFL draft for you—sometimes the best picks are the ones who forced their own opportunity.

Matchup nightmares in Doyle's offense

What sets Hibner apart is his ability to warp defenses. Lining up all over—all inline, slot, even flexed out—he creates dilemmas that slower linebackers can't solve and smaller safeties can't jam.^[1][2] The Ravens believe he'll thrive in Doyle's play-action heavy sets, where tight ends feast on intermediate routes. His 804 yards over two SMU seasons came against ACC defenses that mimic NFL fronts; imagine that production with Lamar Jackson slinging no-look passes.

Brugler's scouting report nails it: Hibner's skill set is scheme-versatile, with the blocking base to stay on the field in run situations.^[2] Hunt's A-plus echoes that, positioning him as the class' premier inline guy—meaning he's built for the Ravens' power-run identity first, pass-catching second.^[5] Whether he eclipses Smythe for snaps or gobbles red-zone targets behind Andrews remains the open question, but the upside dwarfs the risk at pick 133.

"I Can't Think of a Better Fit Than the Ravens"

— Matt Hibner, 2026-04-25^[7]

Hibner's own words capture the mutual appeal. Post-draft, he lit up about joining Baltimore, seeing the team's tight end legacy as his launchpad.^[7] It's not just talk; his Senior Bowl show against NFL-caliber talent suggests he's ready to contribute.^[3]

The special teams ace up their sleeve

Beyond the glamour stats, Hibner's 703 special teams reps are the secret sauce. In an era where rookies fight for reps, that's an instant roster lock—think gunner on punts or coverage on kicks, roles that demand toughness and speed.^[2] The Ravens, perennial special teams standouts, didn't trade up for a project; they got a plug-and-play asset who can block in jumbo sets while moonlighting on fourth down.

His SMU versatility translates here: 55 catches in two years, but it's the eight touchdowns that hint at red-zone prowess.^[1] With Andrews drawing double-teams, Hibner could siphon off easy yards underneath. The 4.57 forty isn't blazing, but his 14.1 yards-per-catch average shows he can separate when it counts.^[3] Doyle's scheme, which torched secondaries last season with misdirection, will test if Hibner can handle pro physicality long-term.

Critics might nitpick the athletic score—110th historically isn't elite—but for a fourth-rounder, it's more than enough. The Ravens have turned middling measurables into Pro Bowlers before; Hibner, with his Michigan grit reborn at SMU, feels like the next in line.

This pick slots into the broader NFL shift toward value hunting in the trenches. As cap sheets balloon and free agency dries up for premium talent, teams like Baltimore scour Day 3 for blue-collar winners who round out rosters without breaking the bank. Hibner's selection isn't a splash—it's a sign that in a pass-happy league, the quiet blockers and special teamers who enable the stars are the real draft-day gems, reshaping how contenders build dynasties on the margins.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ravens coaches did Matthew Hibner meet with during his pre-draft visit?

Matthew Hibner reportedly met with head coach Jesse Minter, tight ends coach Zack Grossi, and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

What were Matthew Hibner's reported statistics during his 2025 season at SMU?

In 2025, Matthew Hibner reportedly had 31 receptions for 436 yards and four touchdowns.

What connection exists between Matthew Hibner and Ravens head coach Jesse Minter?

Matthew Hibner and Jesse Minter overlapped during the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Ann Arbor.