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Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely would be the top tight end on many, if not most teams in the NFL. He has the tools and talent of a wide receiver, can split the seams with his above-average speed, and can use his body and hands to corral touchdown tosses inside the red zone.
The problem is Likely is not even the best tight end on his own team, at least not yet. Perennial Pro Bowl player Mark Andrews is widely thought of as one of the top three tight ends in fantasy football, and he is ahead of Likely on the Ravens depth chart and the tight end target totem pole.
So how should fantasy footballers think about Likely in dynasty leagues heading into the upcoming season? Here is a look at what Likely did last year, what he might do this year and beyond, and what his dynasty fantasy value is right now:
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Listen, backup tight ends have as much fantasy value as fullbacks and punters in most fantasy formats. That was evident when Likely began the 2023 campaign with only four receptions for 42 yards over Baltimore’s opening eight games. Andrews was getting the bulk of the targets from the tight end position, and the Ravens offense was clicking on all cylinders and scoring tons of points without Likely contributing much.
Once Andrews had his ankle turned into ground beef thanks to a controversial hip-drop tackle in Week 11, though, Likely’s fantasy value skyrocketed like a newly launched space shuttle. Over the last six contests of the season, Likely racked up 21 receptions for 322 and five touchdowns. That made him one of the most valuable tight ends down the stretch when fantasy managers were battling for playoff spots and league championships.
📊 Most yards after the catch per reception by TEs in 2023:
1. Jonnu Smith (7.3)
2. George Kittle (7.3)
3. Isaiah Likely (7.2)
4. David Njoku (7.1)Fitting. #FinsUp https://t.co/9yZeHJ23R6 pic.twitter.com/nlsGe0n4TD
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) March 7, 2024
Isaiah Likely’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Likely’s fantasy worth for 2024 is solely tied to Andrews. Andrews is Baltimore’s starting TE if he is healthy and returns to Pro Bowl form after his major ankle injury. There is no thought that he will be a step slower or that his role will diminish, so that means Likely will be relegated to being his understudy for another season unless a blockbuster trade or major injury occurs.
Likely has definitely proven that he deserves a larger role in Baltimore’s offense, however, whether Andrews is on the field or not. There is no reason the Ravens cannot roll out more two-tight-end sets and get him more involved in the passing attack. While not the most ideal setup for his fantasy value (or Andrews’), there should be a way to spread the wealth around better this season than it was in 2023, where Likely was an afterthought before Andrews was injured.
Fantasy footballers should not draft Likely thinking his impact will be in 2024. They should pick him up with a long-term plan that he can be stashed on a dynasty roster in the hopes that he becomes a starting tight end in 2025 and beyond with either the Ravens or another organization. He has proven that when given snaps and targets that he can be a premium pass catcher who can account for 700-800 yards and a half-dozen touchdowns over a full season as a full-season starter.
What is Isaiah Likely Worth in Fantasy Football?
You cannot draft Likely assuming that he will have much fantasy relevance in 2024. As long as Andrews stays healthy and is an integral part of Baltimore’s passing attack, Likely is just a spectacular second fiddle.
Likely is a more attractive draft asset if you select him with the plan that he will be the second or third TE on your roster with the hopes that he gets the opportunity to shine with the Ravens or another team soon. This is why Likely’s fantasy value is much higher in dynasty leagues than year-to-year standard leagues.
Draft Likely in the late rounds as a TE2 or TE3 if you have room on your roster. Just make sure you have a bonafide starting TE already just in case Likely’s chance to shine as a star does not come in 2024. You will need to be patient with him. Baltimore does not appear to be interested in forcing him onto the field as long as Andrews is playing like a Pro Bowler. Get Likely cheap now and hold onto him, because the alternative is someone else in your league gets him when he transforms into a fantasy force in 2025.
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