Malaki Starks’ comments about Isaiah Likely just put the NFL on notice

During the 2024 season, it was clear Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely were entering the exchange zone for the baton of being the Baltimore Ravens’ top tight end. The baton didn’t officially change hands yet, with Andrews still catching 55 passes for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns, compared to Likely’s 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns, but the younger tight end showed he’s ready to grab the baton and take off. When the 2025 season starts, expect the handoff to be complete, as Likely is primed for a breakout season.

All signs were already pointing to that being the case, but some recent comments by the Ravens’ top pick, Malaki Starks, made it clear the veteran tight end is ready to take his game to another level. Starks was asked which Ravens player has been the toughest to cover, and he confidently answered Isaiah Likely, explaining that the tight end is faster than he looks.

Malaki Starks says Isaiah Likely has been the toughest Ravens player to cover

While this isn’t a surprise for Baltimore fans that already had high expectations for Likely, it is further proof that a huge season should be coming in Likely’s fourth season. After 373 yards as a rookie, 411 yards in year two, and 477 in year three, the tight end has gotten marginally better every season. Year four, however, should see a big jump in production.

While the Ravens will benefit from a more productive Likely, a breakout season in 2024 will be the perfect time to have one for the tight end, because it’s a contract year. If Baltimore doesn’t extend him before or during the season, he will enter free agency after what’s expected to be the most productive year of his life. If 2025 goes how everyone thinks it will, Likely will be signing a very lucrative deal.

Hopefully, that deal is to stay in Baltimore. One thing for sure, though, Isaiah Likely will be playing for the Ravens this season, and it’s shaping up to be his best season yet.