Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely showed promise last season as he expanded his role behind veteran Mark Andrews. With Andrews aging and potentially nearing the end of his tenure in Baltimore, fantasy managers are questioning whether Likely could emerge as a top-tier tight end in 2025. Assessing the Isaiah Likely fantasy football outlook involves understanding his development, current standing, and what future opportunities may lie ahead.
Likely began his NFL career as a 22-year-old fourth-round pick from a smaller college, where he posted impressive statistics despite lacking standout athletic traits. Joining a Ravens team anchored by one of the league’s elite tight ends limited his immediate fantasy appeal. Over his career, Likely has shown steady improvement but has yet to secure a position as a reliable weekly starter in fantasy lineups.
Two seasons ago, in a seven-game stretch without Mark Andrews, Likely performed well enough to average 12.1 fantasy points per game. Last year, optimism grew that he might expand his standalone impact even with Andrews healthy. In Week 1, Likely validated some of that hope by recording nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, translating to 26.1 fantasy points—a performance that triggered a wave of waiver wire adds.
However, that breakout game proved to be an outlier. Subsequent weeks saw Likely fail to reach similar production levels, with no finishes better than the fourth-ranked tight end overall throughout the remainder of the season. Only three additional games produced double-digit points, despite Andrews’ limited usage early on. The Week 1 performance accounted for a significant portion of his season totals, making clear that consistent contribution was lacking.
Likely’s overall snap share increased to 60.5%, and he ran routes on just over half of passing plays (52.8%) for the second consecutive year. Such involvement, while meaningful, falls short of the usage typically required for a tight end to be a reliable fantasy starter.
Assessing Isaiah Likely’s Potential to Become a TE1
Though Isaiah Likely has not cemented himself as a top fantasy tight end, his growth has clearly impacted Mark Andrews’ production. Andrews’ snap share dipped to 61.7%, ranking 25th among tight ends, and his routes run stood at 58.3%, which placed him 22nd in the league. These represent career lows for Andrews, who from 2019 to 2023 consistently ranked among the top four in target share.
Andrews’ target share fell from a low of 22.2% over previous seasons to just 15.3% last year, ranking 18th overall. Similarly, his targets per route rate dropped from a peak of 42.4% down to 23.6%. Likely’s emergence as a strong secondary option certainly contributed to these declines. However, there is currently no realistic chance for Likely to overtake Andrews as the Ravens’ primary tight end while Andrews remains with the team.
The long-term outlook hinges heavily on Andrews’ future with Baltimore. Should Andrews depart or retire in the coming years, Likely’s potential to become the top tight end in Baltimore—and thus a fantasy starter—would increase. Presently, a recent foot fracture further clouds Likely’s status for the 2025 season opener.
Fantasy managers have adjusted to these realities, with Likely’s average draft position (ADP) settling around the 19th-ranked tight end spot. This value reflects his appeal mainly as an insurance option, providing contingency value if Andrews were sidelined. Likely serves primarily as a rare handcuff tight end, making him a viable addition off the waiver wire if Andrews misses time but not a priority for early-round drafting.
Expert Analysis: Frank Ammirante’s Evaluation of Isaiah Likely
Fantasy analyst Frank Ammirante describes Isaiah Likely as a gifted tight end capable of explosive plays, highlighted by a solid third season with 477 receiving yards and six touchdowns across 16 games. However, Ammirante notes that Likely remains a secondary option behind Mark Andrews in an offense that emphasizes the run game.
Ammirante points out that the limited passing volume restricts Likely’s ability to deliver dependable fantasy output, despite the occasional impressive performance like his 111-yard, one-touchdown game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. These boom weeks increase Likely’s appeal in Best Ball formats, where owners can roster him as a third tight end without needing to predict exactly when his big games occur.
In redraft leagues, Ammirante suggests that Likely is best suited as a bench player given his inconsistent usage. He emphasizes Likely’s status as an affordable handcuff to Andrews, whose absence would rapidly boost Likely’s fantasy value. Thus, Likely’s affordability makes him an easily accessible depth option rather than an early-round starter.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for 2025 Fantasy Drafts
Isaiah Likely’s 2025 fantasy outlook centers on his established role as a complementary tight end behind Mark Andrews. While his flashes of potential demonstrate upside, his current usage and the uncertain status of Andrews position him as a later-round pick or waiver target rather than a foundational fantasy asset.
This role may evolve if Andrews exits Baltimore or faces injury, at which point Likely’s value would rise considerably. Until then, fantasy managers are better served selecting stronger, more reliable tight ends before targeting Likely at his TE19 ADP. His ability to produce occasionally exciting performances is useful for deeper rosters and Best Ball formats but insufficient for early investment.
Injury concerns further complicate Likely’s Week 1 availability, adding risk for those considering him as a starter for 2025. Practicing caution with a handcuff tight end remains the prudent course, while monitoring Andrews’ status to identify when Likely’s role may shift significantly.