Nick Boyle

Nick Boyle's Biography

Nicholas Ryan Boyle, born on February 17, 1993, is a professional American football player renowned for his blocking prowess and versatility as a tight end. An important player in the National Football League (NFL), he has played for the Baltimore Ravens and currently is a free agent.

From 2011-2014, Boyle played college football at the University of Delaware, showing exceptional promise as a player. In November 2014, Boyle received an invitation to play in the prestigious 2015 Senior Bowl, becoming the fourth player from Delaware to be offered this honor since Joe Flacco in 2008. Notably, Boyle impressed attendees during the week leading up to the Senior Bowl, showcasing versatility, adept blocking, and superior receiving skills. His performance ultimately helped the North defeat the South 34-13 in the Senior Bowl finale.

Increasing his visibility on the sporting scene, Boyle participated in the NFL Combine in 2015, a showcase reserved for top NFL prospects. Despite mixed reviews from media and analysts due to a less-than-stellar 40-yard dash time and occasional dropped passes during drills, Boyle completed all required combine and positional drills. He placed first amongst other tight ends in both the 60-yard shuttle and 20-yard shuttle, highlighting his cardiovascular endurance and agility.

In March 2015, Boyle also participated in Delaware’s pro day, where representatives from 22 NFL teams, including the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Detroit Lions, attended. As the pre-draft process concluded, most NFL draft experts forecasted that Boyle would be a fifth or sixth-round pick. Indeed, the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fifth round as the 171st overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Interestingly, he was the ninth tight end chosen in the draft and the second selected by the Ravens.

Shortly after the draft, in May 2015, the Baltimore Ravens locked Boyle into a four-year deal valued at $2.44 million, including a signing bonus of $166,254. As a Ravens player, Boyle had to compete with Maxx Williams, Crockett Gilmore, Dennis Pitta, and Konrad Reuland during training camp for the starting tight end position left vacant by Owen Daniels. Despite competition, Boyle demonstrated his skill and potential, earning regular plays from September 2015 onwards.

Yet, Boyle’s journey was not without challenges. In December 2015, the NFL suspended him for four games due to violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, resulting in a salary forfeiture equivalent to four games ($112,132). A similar violation in February 2016 led to a ten-game suspension for the upcoming season. Despite these setbacks, Boyle returned to the field, showcasing impressive performances in following games.

2017 marked an important year in Boyle’s career as he competed against notable athletes like Benjamin Watson, Dennis Pitta, Crockett Gilmore, Maxx Williams, Larry Donnell, and Ryan Malleck during training camp. His dedicated efforts and aptitude saw him named as starting tight end for the season, after players Gilmore was injured and Pitta retired due to repeated hip injuries.

Boyle experienced career highs and lows throughout the following years. His commendable performance in the 2019 season led the Ravens to negotiate a three-year, $18 million contract extension with Boyle that took him through the 2021 season. Regrettably, a knee-injury during Week 10 resulted in being placed on injured reserve in November 2020.

Remaining with the Ravens after signing a two-year, $13 million contract extension in January 2021, Boyle faced additional setbacks at the beginning of the new season as he was placed on short-term injured reserve in September 2021. However, he did not remain deterred and debuted his return in November 2021.

The year 2023 marked a milestone in Boyle’s career, making a professional shift from his tight end position to long snapper in March. After having been temporarily waived by the Ravens in January, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad merely three days later. His first professional action as a long snapper occurred during a free agent workout hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Characterized by an intense will to succeed and a solid work ethic, Boyle has become a pivotal player in the NFL, primarily serving as a blocker on offence and special teams. Even as he is often not the primary offensive target, his presence has been regarded as instrumental to the success of the Ravens’ rushing offense, so much so that he is often hailed as one of the top blocking tight ends in the NFL.