While Mark Andrews remains the first-choice tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, former fourth-round pick Isaiah Likely has steadily risen in stature over his three years in the league.
Likely has seen his production increase in his three seasons with the Ravens, and one analyst boldly predicts he could be among the top tight ends in the league soon.
NFL Insider Predicts Isaiah Likely Could Be Among Top 10 Tight Ends in Next Couple of Years
The 25-year-old was drafted 139th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Coastal Carolina following an impressive four-year college career. His production increased each year, culminating in 912 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season.
The young tight end has been on a similar trajectory in the NFL. He finished his third season in 2024 with 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. Likely enters the 2025 season in the final year of his rookie contract with the Ravens.
As Likely looks to improve in his fourth year, ESPN NFL insider Field Yates believes his upward trajectory will continue. Yates predicts that in the next couple of years, Likely will rank among the NFL’s elite at his position.
“I think there’s a chance that we’re talking about Isaiah Likely is one of the eight or ten best tight ends in football in the next couple of years,” Yates said on NFL Live. “He’s got all the talent in the world, but the Ravens don’t throw the football as much as other offenses do. And of course, Mark Andrews is still there.”
“I think there’s a chance that we’re talking about Isaiah Likely as one of the 8 or 10 best tight ends in football in the next couple of years.”@FieldYates on Isaiah Likely’s future in the league 👀 pic.twitter.com/KpEQ7aib1I
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 27, 2025
While Likely’s talent is evident, his opportunity has been limited by Baltimore’s run-heavy offense and the presence of Andrews, a two-time Pro Bowler. Still, Yates believes Likely’s role could expand significantly in the near future.
“I think at some point we see that segue and Isaiah Likely becomes a part of an offense that defensive coordinators begin the week and they say, we have to find a way to slow down Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. But Isaiah Likely is not that far down the pecking order of responsibilities.”
With star running back Derrick Henry and dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson still rushing at an elite level, the Ravens haven’t needed high production from their tight ends. In 2024, Henry was second in the NFL with 1,921 rushing yards, while Jackson added 915 yards on the ground.
Tight ends haven’t been a significant part of passing attacks throughout the league either. Only 17 players at the position reached 500 or more receiving yards in 2024.
The Ravens have not extended Likely yet, and he could look for a more pass-happy team when he enters free agency in 2026. Andrews is also set to hit the open market that offseason after his current four-year, $56 million deal expires.
If Andrews departs and Likely is retained, that could open the door for the young tight end to prove Yates’ bold prediction correct. But for now, Likely remains a tantalizing talent whose full potential has yet to be unleashed in Baltimore’s run-first attack.