Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is in an unusual position. He may have the best tight end duo in the AFC in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at his disposal, but his scheme doesn't not utilize both of them on the field at the same time with any regularity.
Baltimore used 12 personnel (two tight ends) on just 11% of plays last year, well below the league's 19% average and good for 27th in the NFL in terms of frequency. Motivated by the need for more playing time, Likely followed up his torrid finish to the 2023 season with a red-hot start at OTAs.
Likely has been uniformly regarded as one of the best performers in the offseason, so much so that Baltimore may need to alter their offensive philosophy for the sole purpose of getting the former Coastal Carolina star on the field more. Likely is taking initiative in this affair, trying to learn as many positions as possible.
"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, via the Ravens' official team website. "The more you know, the more you can stay on the field." Baltimore is expecting big things from the versatile third-year player.
Isaiah Likely says he'll be all over the field in the Ravens' offense this season. https://t.co/s2OTdGGl1M
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 25, 2024
Isaiah Likely to be used in all over Baltimore Ravens offense in 2024
Likely was often used as an in-line tight end, receiving more snaps there than in the slot last season. With Andrews playing almost exclusively in the slot and receiving more snaps as a boundary wide receiver than an in-line tight end, Likely will still see snaps in his traditional spot in 2024.
Likely is worth getting on the field as much as possible. In the seven games he started followign Andrews' injury, Likely's numbers were so excellent that they would have put him on pace for over 900 yards and 14 touchdowns in a full 17-game season. With Andrews only having one year left on his deal, Likely could be a possible successor.
Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman seem to be locked in as the two starting wide receivers on the outside, meaning Likely will compete with veteran Nelson Agholor and rookie Devontez Walker for snaps.
The Ravens have seen Likely emerge from a fourth-round drat throw to an impact playmaker, and it would be foolish to let him wither away on the bench in 2024.