OWINGS MILLS — While teams have focused on shutting down Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, it has created an opportunity for the third player on the depth chart — Charlie Kolar.
The third-year standout from Iowa State has made several big plays in the past couple of weeks and has become a sure-handed target for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Coach John Harbaugh has praised Kolar for not only his big-play ability but his development as a key blocker for the run game.
“Charlie is making big strides,” Harbaugh said. “In college, he was a pass catcher and didn’t do any blocking; I didn’t even think he lined up inline very much. He’s made himself into a fine blocker. He’s doing a really good job blocking – very physical. And then, now you say, ‘OK, he’s a run-blocking tight end,’ but he’s always had the pass-catching ability.
“So, to see him get out there, [and] on a seam route, to get that big play, [and] then to catch the goal-line route, the low route – the perfect throw that Lamar made – I’m just jacked up for him. And now, I’m really excited for us, because now it gives you another dual-threat tight end.”
After getting just one target in the first two games, Kolar caught a 30-yard pass against the Cowboys that set up a touchdown in the Ravens’ 28-25 victory over.
Last week against the Bengals, Kolar caught a 55-yard pass that set up another score. He then had a 2-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that pulled the Ravens to within three points, putting them in position to escape with the 41-38 overtime victory.
Kolar, who has five catches for 98 yards with a touchdown, is grateful to have a bigger role in the offense.
“It’s beautiful,” Kolar said about his opportunities against the Bengals. “They get so focused on Mark and Isaiah, they forget about the fat white guy running up the seam. I was so open; I didn’t know what to do, and Lamar threw it, and I got yelled at for not scoring again, so we have to fix that, but I think it was a little chain reaction because I didn’t score, so Isaiah could score. Then, Mark paid me a favor and got tackled on the 2-[yard line], so I could score. It was a beautiful day.”
Baltimore’s 16 touchdown receptions between its trio of Andrews (6), Likely (8), and Kolar (2) mark the NFL’s most by a team’s tight ends since the 2023 season.
“There are some more one-dimensional guys, for sure, but I think our guys are dual-threat guys, and I think they’ve proven that,” Harbaugh said about the tight ends. “You have to establish that. We’ve always believed it, that they were that, but to see them go out there and do it in the games – and that’s why they were put in those situations – it’s powerful for us.”
