Ravens TE Isaiah Likely stealing the show with wild first-half preseason performance

The Baltimore Ravens believed they landed one of the steals of the 2022 NFL Draft when they selected Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely in the fourth round of this year’s draft.

But even they didn’t expect Likely to hit the ground running as much as he has. That’s continued so far during the team’s second preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Likely quickly made his presence felt on the first drive picking up the first Ravens’ first down of the night, and he didn’t slow down then. The 22-year-old finished the first half with an outstanding stat line of eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

All other Ravens receivers combined for just five catches and 29 yards. It’s safe to say that the first half was the Isaiah Likely show in Glendale, AZ.

Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is showing why he could be the steal of the 2022 NFL Draft

To say that the Ravens have been impressed with Likely this summer would be an understatement. The rookie fourth-round pick has been the star of training camp and already made a strong first impression in the first preseason game last week.

Likely finished that game with four catches for 44 yards in a winning effort. But what he’s done so far tonight is special.

It’s hard not to get shades of the notorous Lamar Jackson/Mark Andrews connection when watching Tyler Huntley hook up with Likely over and over again.

There’s still another half of football to be played, and while it would be fun to see what numbers Likely could put up with a full game under his belt, the wiser decision would be to let him rest for the remainder of the game.

In fact, you could argue that Likely shouldn’t play another snap until Week 1. That’s how good he’s looked and that’s how important he might be to the Ravens’ offense this year.

Buy Isaiah Likely stock. Invest in Isaiah Likely. Draft him in your fantasy leagues. Get on the bandwagon now before it leaves the station.

Isaiah Likely is the real deal.