Baltimore Ravens fans and dynasty fantasy football managers are sending a clear message about rookie tight end Matt Hibner.

The former Southern Methodist pass-catcher, selected after the Ravens traded up in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft, is rostered at nearly a 50% rate on Sleeper Fantasy Football with 1.4K adds over the past week. That puts him at the 17th spot on the platform’s rising player trends.

While Hibner probably won’t produce right away, the trajectory of the Baltimore tight end room makes him a name worth watching for both the Ravens and fantasy managers alike.

The tight end vacuum in Baltimore is real

The context surrounding the Hibner pick matters a lot. They once had a tight end room that league personnel considered a “quarterback’s best friend.” Now, they’re back to rebuilding. Isaiah Likely landed in New York this offseason, leaving a significant void in passing game contributions. Mark Andrews will be 31 during the 2026 season and has dealt with injuries while struggling to produce at the level he once did. Durham Smythe is in the room as a veteran, but profiles more as a tertiary player.

With Likely gone and Andrews aging, there is a clear opportunity for a player to step up and prove himself as the future of the position. Hibner could be that player. He’ll have competition from fellow rookie Josh Cuevas, but the investment difference is stark. Frankly, if Hibner isn’t the one to step up at the position, I’m not sure any other player will.

Ravens TE Matthew Hibner’s best football remains ahead of him

Hibner spent three seasons at Michigan before joining SMU for his final two collegiate campaigns. Those two seasons were his best, with a combined 55 receptions, 804 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns across 27 games played. He’s certainly a project player and not someone who figures to contribute immediately unless injuries or declining play from Andrews were to open the door.

With that being said, Lamar Jackson has historically leaned on the tight end position as a safety net and outlet in Baltimore’s offense. Even with a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, that’s unlikely to change. He did it with Andrews, he did it with Likely, and the fact that Jackson was able to have both players active and producing at the same time in a single season speaks volumes about how the position is utilized.

Dynasty fantasy managers are already making their moves

The fantasy football community often serves as an early indicator of how the broader NFL landscape views a player’s long-term value. Hibner’s rapid rise on dynasty platforms tells a story about perceived opportunity meeting perceived talent.

He likely won’t be a strong fantasy producer as a rookie unless an injury develops or Andrews’ production continues to decline. However, for dynasty fantasy football managers looking to build out their rosters in deeper leagues, Hibner represents a strong long-term play at a position Jackson has always made relevant in the passing game.

Will the Ravens listen to what the fans are telling them?

Baltimore might be wise to take note of the rising buzz around Hibner, especially if he continues to climb once training camp arrives later this summer. Open training camp practices and the preseason will provide the first real opportunities for the rookie to prove his worth and show the Ravens’ coaching staff what he can do. The fans and fantasy managers have already cast their vote. Now it’s up to Hibner to prove them right on the field.