TE Isaiah Likely, BAL (1 Viewer)

[Uruk-Hai]

What are the thoughts on Likely as a preemptive pickup - seems to be falling below the radar in many leagues given that he's been out so far with the broken foot.

The guy clearly has talent, but mainly blocked for playing time by Andrews, who could be showing signs of slowing down. Beyond 2025, keeper/dynasty owners should be well aware that Andrews is an UFA after this season.

Both Likely and Kolar can also go elsewhere after this season if the Ravens don't work a new deal before FA hits. In dynasty/keeper leagues, I'd definitely roster Likely if you have room. He's most probably gonna be someone's #1 TE next year.

Reading between the lines I'd be shocked if it's not the Ravens.

I'm leaning that way, too. But Baltimore better sign him before he gets to the open market, because some team is liable to throw a boatload of money at him. The Ravens, as usual, will be up against the cap.

There was a rumor from a source some would say is debateable they were on the verge of extending him within a day or two of his ankle injury. That source is hit or miss to me but has certainly broke some news previously. I'm not sure on all that as I don't see how that would have stalled the process.

I've spoken on this before but it's kind of a delicate situation they are walking where you got a guy in Andrews who I've no doubt is professional and everything but I can see where things get awkward, were feelings and emotions come into play, when the team extends your replacement and you know are likely a 30 year old soon to be FA with no future guarantees and the team you spent your entire career is ready to move on from you. But at the same time, as you are pointing out, the Ravens would ostensibly not want to put themselves in a position where they enter the off-season with no TE under contract.

Of course they always have the tag and I've no doubt would use it.

I just think the teams actions with respect to floating the idea of Andrews not being on the team earlier this off-season, zero suggestion of the same with Likely, and Harbaughs comments about making or seeing Likely be an All-Pro is a clear sign of where this is headed.

Yeah, the Ravens are walking a P.R. tightrope here. Andrews may well be the most-beloved player by his teammates and the fanbase, along with Lamar Jackson (he and Jackson are best friends on top of that). Andrews is gonna have his name in the ring of honor at M&T and will be in the Ravens' HOF. In addition, Jackson will have to be restructured this off-season since he's carrying a $75mm cap hit in 2026.

All of that is to say the Ravens are in a tricky situation here. I think they want to keep Likely (& Kolar), but have to figure out how to navigate this minefield.

Now - after me saying all of that - watch them trade Likely, let Kolar walk, and keep Andrews

 

[Uruk-Hai]

What are the thoughts on Likely as a preemptive pickup - seems to be falling below the radar in many leagues given that he's been out so far with the broken foot.

The guy clearly has talent, but mainly blocked for playing time by Andrews, who could be showing signs of slowing down. Beyond 2025, keeper/dynasty owners should be well aware that Andrews is an UFA after this season.

Both Likely and Kolar can also go elsewhere after this season if the Ravens don't work a new deal before FA hits. In dynasty/keeper leagues, I'd definitely roster Likely if you have room. He's most probably gonna be someone's #1 TE next year.

Reading between the lines I'd be shocked if it's not the Ravens.

I'm leaning that way, too. But Baltimore better sign him before he gets to the open market, because some team is liable to throw a boatload of money at him. The Ravens, as usual, will be up against the cap.

The current top 5 TEs by contract average:

1. Kittle - $19.1M
2. McBride - $19M
3. Kelce - $17.125M
4. Hockenson - $16.5M
5. Andrews - $14M

What is a boatload for Likely? Generally speaking, even these TEs are affordable given the level and progression of the salary cap.

I don't know, but it's probably more on the open market than Baltimore wants to (or can) spend.

 

[Largent]

picked him up for free on the wire....no sense waiting for his active announcement and getting beat to the punch. It can't be looking any better for him for how bad Andrews as performed.

 

[Gatorade]

Picked up Likely for Andrews this week hoping that he will perform well once activated.

 

[Proteus]

Of course holding in dynasty--with Andrews on same roster--and got him for nothing a week or two ago in redraft.

But.

Unless someone gets traded, I think I might only give it the rest of this season to decide whether last year's seeming breakout was fool's gold or not.

Because first of all, he didn't exactly stay broken out. Second, it seems Lamar just isn't throwing to the position like he used to. Is that a product of Andrews slowing down? Or is the scheme shifting?

I really do hope Likely is the answer and that he can finally usurp this position and get on with it.

 

[Faust]

Josh Tolentino
#Ravens TE Isaiah Likely considers himself “day-to-day” in his journey to return from a foot injury that he suffered in training camp.

Likely: “You always look at the long game…you don’t want to [play] in September at 80%, and really understand that January is so far away.

“We just put up 40 points back-to-back. Knowing the offense is well capable to be themselves, they’re not rushing me to get back because me being limited isn’t helping anyone.”

https://x.com/jctsports/status/1969127500325236937?s=61

 

[Largent]

Josh Tolentino
#Ravens TE Isaiah Likely considers himself “day-to-day” in his journey to return from a foot injury that he suffered in training camp.

Likely: “You always look at the long game…you don’t want to [play] in September at 80%, and really understand that January is so far away.

“We just put up 40 points back-to-back. Knowing the offense is well capable to be themselves, they’re not rushing me to get back because me being limited isn’t helping anyone.”

https://x.com/jctsports/status/1969127500325236937?s=61

I doubt anyone holding or pre-emptive pick up is thinking "this is the week" we need him.....another poor week for Andrews then the drums will be beating loud for week 4

 

[zamboni]

Josh Tolentino
#Ravens TE Isaiah Likely considers himself “day-to-day” in his journey to return from a foot injury that he suffered in training camp.

Likely: “You always look at the long game…you don’t want to [play] in September at 80%, and really understand that January is so far away.

“We just put up 40 points back-to-back. Knowing the offense is well capable to be themselves, they’re not rushing me to get back because me being limited isn’t helping anyone.”

https://x.com/jctsports/status/1969127500325236937?s=61

I doubt anyone holding or pre-emptive pick up is thinking "this is the week" we need him.....another poor week for Andrews then the drums will be beating loud for week 4

Definitely wouldn’t use him this week regardless, but I do think it’s a good idea to grab him if he’s out there before more buzz builds next week when he may return.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Unless someone gets traded, I think I might only give it the rest of this season to decide whether last year's seeming breakout was fool's gold or not.

Andrews contract is up at the end of the season so unless he gets resigned then I assume that Likely might be the guy. Andrews isn't lighting it up out there and if Likely comes back and he doesn't light it up then I guess you could interpret it that way. I think that if Andrews doesn't resign and the Baltimore TE position is Likely + whomever then you could probably trade him off hype alone (and maybe that's a good strat) but for myself, I'm willing to wait and see what happens in 2026 before I give up on him.

 

[menobrown]

Here is what I'm wondering.

Is Andrews miserable production a result of him falling off a cliff? Which could mean boom times coming up for Likely.

Or his miserable production the byproduct of an offense which has shifted to being considerably more Zay Flowers centric? Which in this case not such a boon for Likely, instead he's just cutting into a tiny pie.

Or is it just an odd two game sample size that portends nothing?

I definitely don't want to start Likely, or Andrews anymore, until I feel like I got a better idea of some answers but I know I got a Kraft/Engram team I may not have a choice, if I even have the option of Likely.

 

[VikingFrog]

Here is what I'm wondering.

Is Andrews miserable production a result of him falling off a cliff? Which could mean boom times coming up for Likely.

Or his miserable production the byproduct of an offense which has shifted to being considerably more Zay Flowers centric? Which in this case not such a boon for Likely, instead he's just cutting into a tiny pie.

Or is it just an odd two game sample size that portends nothing?

I definitely don't want to start Likely, or Andrews anymore, until I feel like I got a better idea of some answers but I know I got a Kraft/Engram team I may not have a choice, if I even have the option of Likely.

Not saying it will go that way again. But just last year Andrews started out incredibly slow, and then turned into a top 5 TE the last 3/4 of the year.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Unless someone gets traded, I think I might only give it the rest of this season to decide whether last year's seeming breakout was fool's gold or not.

Andrews contract is up at the end of the season so unless he gets resigned then I assume that Likely might be the guy. Andrews isn't lighting it up out there and if Likely comes back and he doesn't light it up then I guess you could interpret it that way. I think that if Andrews doesn't resign and the Baltimore TE position is Likely + whomever then you could probably trade him off hype alone (and maybe that's a good strat) but for myself, I'm willing to wait and see what happens in 2026 before I give up on him.

Likely is not under contract for next season, either. He'd have to be franchised or signed to a new contract to be back with Baltimore. If he hits FA, the odds that he comes back to the Ravens decrease significantly.

 

[The Kerminator]

Here is what I'm wondering.

Is Andrews miserable production a result of him falling off a cliff? Which could mean boom times coming up for Likely.

Or his miserable production the byproduct of an offense which has shifted to being considerably more Zay Flowers centric? Which in this case not such a boon for Likely, instead he's just cutting into a tiny pie.

Or is it just an odd two game sample size that portends nothing?

I definitely don't want to start Likely, or Andrews anymore, until I feel like I got a better idea of some answers but I know I got a Kraft/Engram team I may not have a choice, if I even have the option of Likely.

Not saying it will go that way again. But just last year Andrews started out incredibly slow, and then turned into a top 5 TE the last 3/4 of the year.

Lesson is buy low

 

[VikingFrog]

Here is what I'm wondering.

Is Andrews miserable production a result of him falling off a cliff? Which could mean boom times coming up for Likely.

Or his miserable production the byproduct of an offense which has shifted to being considerably more Zay Flowers centric? Which in this case not such a boon for Likely, instead he's just cutting into a tiny pie.

Or is it just an odd two game sample size that portends nothing?

I definitely don't want to start Likely, or Andrews anymore, until I feel like I got a better idea of some answers but I know I got a Kraft/Engram team I may not have a choice, if I even have the option of Likely.

Not saying it will go that way again. But just last year Andrews started out incredibly slow, and then turned into a top 5 TE the last 3/4 of the year.

Lesson is buy low

I’m a Kraft owner, so I was actually thinking about it because the Andrews owner has LaPorta. But, I ended up with Ertz off waivers so I’m just kind of riding that out for now.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Unless someone gets traded, I think I might only give it the rest of this season to decide whether last year's seeming breakout was fool's gold or not.

Andrews contract is up at the end of the season so unless he gets resigned then I assume that Likely might be the guy. Andrews isn't lighting it up out there and if Likely comes back and he doesn't light it up then I guess you could interpret it that way. I think that if Andrews doesn't resign and the Baltimore TE position is Likely + whomever then you could probably trade him off hype alone (and maybe that's a good strat) but for myself, I'm willing to wait and see what happens in 2026 before I give up on him.

Likely is not under contract for next season, either. He'd have to be franchised or signed to a new contract to be back with Baltimore. If he hits FA, the odds that he comes back to the Ravens decrease significantly.

Good point. I just assumed that he was under contract/will resign.

 

[Footballdaz]

Fannin is what Likey owners expected.

 

[MAC_32]

Here is what I'm wondering.

Is Andrews miserable production a result of him falling off a cliff? Which could mean boom times coming up for Likely.

Or his miserable production the byproduct of an offense which has shifted to being considerably more Zay Flowers centric? Which in this case not such a boon for Likely, instead he's just cutting into a tiny pie.

Or is it just an odd two game sample size that portends nothing?

I definitely don't want to start Likely, or Andrews anymore, until I feel like I got a better idea of some answers but I know I got a Kraft/Engram team I may not have a choice, if I even have the option of Likely.

I think the Browns game was matchup driven. The passing offense struggled, but had more success than the run game, while Hospital Ward was in the game. Whenever he left the field though...WR's went off. I wasn't locked into the opener until the 4q to say whether their approach was similar.