With Zay Flowers out, the Ravens will need some of their deeper options to step up.
Adam Schefter reports that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has ruled out Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers for Saturday’s playoff matchup versus the Steelers. Flowers’ absence will leave the Ravens without one of their top weapons.
While this isn’t welcome news, there was an element of this being a slow drip towards Zay Flowers being declared out. Earlier in the week there were rumblings that it was a long shot for Flowers to play in the opening round.
Naturally, the Ravens offense will run primarily through Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Mark Andrews. In a playoff game with a familiar division foe in the Pittsburgh Steelers, expect one of Rashod Bateman or Isaiah Likely to have an elevated role. Rashod Bateman provided 2.44 fantasy points per target in 2024 which was good for 4th overall paired with a 125.0 QB rating per target (No. 6). At tight end, Likely was 8th in total touchdowns with 6 and his 13 red zone targets ranked No.10. Expect the Ravens to soar to new heights with Bateman and Likely.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, coachretzlaff1
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely stepped up again ...
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely will regain a big ...
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely put up a ...
Isaiah Likely offers versatility to the Ravens offense.
Ravens 3rd year tight end Isaiah Likely has shown flashes of being a dynamic playmaker since his arrival in Baltimore in 2022. Whenever starting TE Mark Andrews has missed time, Likely has shown the abilities that made him a 4th round pick by the Ravens. Going into year 3, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the talented TE could be the second target at receiver behind Zay Flowers. This quote by Likely alluding to his usage adds fuel to the growing flame: “They want me to be able to go everywhere, whether it’s in the backfield, in line, in the slot, out wide or whatever…being that chess piece that can move around.”
The talent is obvious for Isaiah Likely. Whenever Mark Andrews has missed time, Likely has shown he can be a star. This could be shaping up to be like the Patriots dual TE sets of yesteryear. Likely has been a prime target of the “late round TE” strategists in bestball drafts throughout the offseason. His current average draft position of TE22 near the end of the 14th round is set to pay major dividends if this quote about his usage is true. He should be a prime trade target in any form of tight end premium scoring dynasty league.
Isaiah Likely learning receiver positions in year 2 with Todd Monken’s offense.
“It’s being a chess piece, being anywhere ‘Monk’ needs me to be in this offense – whether it’s in the slot, in-line, in the backfield, split out wide by myself,” Likely said. “The more you know, the more you can stay on the field.” Likely is looking to learn as much as he can in Monken’s offense to allow himself to be on the field with Mark Andrews. Likely filled in nicely while Andrews was out due to injury, putting up 25 receptions and 372 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns. Now it’s up to the Ravens to find ways to have Likely and Andrews on the field at the same time when the Ravens are ranked 27th in the NFL with 2 tight end sets.
Likely could be a deep league sleeper in most redraft and dynasty leagues for the upcoming 2024 season. The pre-season and early season to determine if Likely is someone worth stashing if you’re not an Andrews owner. He is a solid red zone threat when on the field and very athletic tight end that may force himself on the field more to compliment Andrews.
