Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is looking to improve upon a solid second season and seems to be off to a good start.
Likely turned heads in 2023, starting eight games to fill in for the injured Mark Andrews. The 6-foot-4 Coastal Carolina product finished the season with 30 catches, 411 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns.
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Likely's strong second season even got him ranked among the top 32 tight ends by PFF.
Now, his encore seems to be looking even better. Likely continued to turn heads at Ravens minicamp and OTAs, reportedly making several spectacular catches.
Ravens editorial director Ryan Mink reported that Likely made "jaw-dropping one-handed leaping catches in back-to-back practices." Mink said Likely looks like a player who is ready to become a "household name."
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec called one of those catches the play of the day.
Nikhil Mehta of Russell Street Report said that Likely "might have been the best pass-catcher" through OTAs and minicamp.
While speaking to reporters, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh praised Likely for attending all of OTAs and minicamp and being "locked in."
"He's going to be a big part of what we do," Harbaugh said.
Likely's ceiling may be capped somewhat by the presence of Mark Andrews (who also earned rave reviews in minicamp) and by the Ravens' run game. Though the Ravens didn't make any major additions at wide receiver, if Andrews and Rashod Bateman stay healthy — combined with the presence of Derrick Henry — it's hard to see Likely getting many more targets.
Then again, if Likely continues on his current trajectory, he might just command them by sheer will.
