Ravens' Isaiah Likely Named TE of 'All-Breakout Team'
A big Baltimore Ravens target emerging beyond Mark Andrews at tight end? According to a new grouping on NFL.com ... it's Likely.
Sophomore tight end Isaiah Likely was named to an "All-Breakout" team on the league's official site, repping the offensive side alongside AFC North rivals George Perkins and Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh. Likely is entering his second season in Charm City after he arrived as a fourth-round choice out of Coastal Carolina during the 2022 NFL Draft.
Team compiler Bucky Brooks believes that Likely can be one of the major playmakers in phase two of the Lamar Jackson era, which is set to kick off after the franchise quarterback inked a new long-term contract over the offseason.
"Likely is poised to make a major impact in year two as part of an offensive makeover that could turn the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens into an aerial circus under new coordinator Todd Monken," Brooks writes. "With opponents focusing on passing-game weapons like Odell Beckham Jr., Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman and first-round pick Zay Flowers, Likely could produce big play after big play as the designated seam runner against two-deep coverage."
Likely struggled to make a name for himself on the Ravens' offense in the early stages of his rookie season but started to channel the big-play energy he displayed in Conway during the final stages of the regular season. He had his first 100-yard game with Jackson missing, earning 103 on eight receptions in the regular season finale against Cincinnati. Likely finished the season with 373 yards on 36 receptions, three of which went for scores.
The big-play representation in the Baltimore lineup could allow Likely to slip through and break out. Newly-minted offensive coordinator Todd Monken could hardly hide his excitement about working with both Likely and an established elite target in Andrews.
"The fact of the matter is that [Andrews] is a tremendous player," Monken said in his introductory press conference in February. "He’s done it for a number of years. [Then] you’ve got a young player [Isaiah Likely] who is learning how to play at the professional level. But they both have the ability to make plays down the field, run after catch. So, it’s a great starting point, because I think they’re tough matchup guys."
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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