Ravens Add Athletic Tight End Ahead of Bills Game
The Baltimore Ravens made a roster move to bolster their tight end depth before the season opener. 
After ruling out fourth-year tight end Isaiah Likely on Friday, the Ravens elevated tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad for Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. With only two healthy tight ends remaining on the active roster, this move ensures additional support at the position.
Though Mitchell-Paden also entered the NFL in 2022 as an undrafted free agent from Florida Atlantic University, this will be his regular season debut. The 26-year-old from Rockville, Maryland, has spent his career on practice squads, including with the Ravens during training camp and preseason. He has one career catch for 11 yards.
The Ravens are looking to add depth behind their starting tight ends—three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews and fourth-year pro Charlie Kolar—both of whom are expected to play key roles in the opener against Buffalo.
In an unexpected decision, the Ravens chose not to elevate rookie fullback Lucas Scott, who went undrafted from Army, to fill the gap left by the absence of five-time Pro Bowler Patrick Ricard, who was also ruled out for the game. This will be Ricard’s first missed game since 2021.
Mitchell-Paden has spent his career in the AFC North, originally signing with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted in 2022. He was with the Browns for two years before joining the Ravens’ practice squad last September and signing a reserve/futures contract after the season.
Mitchell-Paden’s college career began at Notre Dame, where he recorded limited stats as a freshman. He transferred to FAU, where he had a standout junior season with 53 receptions, 573 yards, and six touchdowns. However, his production dipped in his final college season, finishing with just nine catches for 90 yards and one touchdown in 2021.
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