Isaiah

Likely

The Ravens hope to get Likely on the field more in 2024. The third-year tight end said that it’s possible we see him line up “in the slot, in-line, in the backfield” or “split out wide” by himself. After the Ravens lost Mark Andrews in Week 11 of last season, Likely stepped up to catch 21-of-28 targets for 322 yards and five touchdowns over the final five regular-season contests. He was the overall TE5 in fantasy points per game over that six-game stretch. He’s caught 66 passes for 784 yards and eight touchdowns in his career and is one of just a handful of backup tight ends who could have good fantasy value this season. Going in the late double-digit rounds, Likely is worth a dart throw in best ball leagues but shouldn’t be counted on in redraft leagues as long as Andrews stays healthy.

Likely’s missed connection was a Lamar Jackson interception into a gaggle of Chiefs. He ceded just two looks to a returning Mark Andrews, but Likely heads into the offseason with only four postseason receptions in two games. Likely looked like a bona fide playmaker with Andrews missing the final six games of the regular season, but Andrews’ likely return for 2024 will continue to cap 24-year-old (in April) Likely’s fantasy upside. He’s a Dynasty league stash and re-draft waiting game.

Andrews, who on Friday was activated off injured reserve after suffering a serious ankle injury in November, will likely be used by the Ravens “on key third downs and in the red zone” against the Chiefs in Sunday’s title game, Zrebiec said. Look for Isaiah Likely — a red zone weapon during Andrews’ absence — to remain in the mix against Kansas City. The Chiefs allowed the 19th most tight end receptions (82) during the regular season.

Andrews has practiced in full for nearly a week. The team held him out of their Divisional Round game against the Texans to ensure Andrews — the team’s top pass catcher — was fully healthy for the AFC Championship Game. Isaiah Likely, who has five touchdowns over Baltimore’s past five games, will revert back to a rotational role against the Chiefs this Sunday. Andrews might not get a full complement of snaps in his first game since mid-November.

Looking like a major DFS dud in Mark Andrews’ absence, Likely thankfully got home with his 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Likely’s DFS landscape will be completely altered for the AFC Championship Game, as the Ravens have circled it for Mark Andrews’ (ankle) likely return. Likely should still see enough targets to be worth a tournament punt play.

Andrews has practiced in full over the past couple days but Ravens coaches have expressed reticence about rushing him back for their Divisional Round game. Rapoport said the team’s plan has always been to bring back Andrews for the AFC title game. Andrews remaining sidelined means Isaiah Likely will function as the Ravens’ primary pass-catching tight end. Houston allowed the most receptions to tight ends in the regular season.

Likely was forced to play with the team electing to rest veterans and rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers. He would play under 50 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, the bulk of which came in the second quarter after the team fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter. He would also play sparingly in the second half after scoring a touchdown from 27 yards out towards the end of the second quarter. Likely will be a large part of the team’s offensive game plan when they start their Super Bowl run in the divisional round following a bye.

Likely caught a 35-yard touchdown from Lamar Jackson in the first half and nabbed a wide open seven-yard score in the third quarter to help the Ravens pull away from the overmatched Dolphins. Likely had four touchdowns in five games as the team’s top tight end. Mark Andrews was declared out for the season five weeks ago after a serious ankle injury against the Bengals and Likely has stepped in as a solid replacement. His after-the-catch ability rivaling almost any tight end in the NFL, Likely may have created a role for himself in 2024 even with Andrews’ return.

Likely somewhat surprisingly tied for second on the team in targets, well behind the 13 of rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers. Five defensive takeaways provided numerous short field opportunities for the Ravens, which placed a cap on the overall pass volume in addition to the potential for yardage to accumulate from Likely and the other Ravens pass-catchers in this one. Up next is a potential shootout against the Dolphins in Week 17.

Likely was the primary option through the air against the Jaguars, adding a posterizing grab late in the third quarter to his touchdown in the second quarter. The 26-yard reception over two defenders set up a Gus Edwards one-yard touchdown plunge on the first play of the fourth quarter. Up next for Likely and the Ravens is a road trip to Levi Stadium to take on the vaunted 49ers in Week 16.