Isaiah Likely: Fantasy Relevant As A Rookie?
Tight ends are hard to find so investing in a team that prioritizes tight ends over wide receivers might be a good place to start, right? Isaiah Likely is starting to become that tight end sleeper target in the fantasy community with the hope that maybe Baltimore can carry two relevant players at the same position. If the Patriots could do it with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, why can’t Baltimore?
On paper, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea. The 4th round pick out of Coastal Carolina could presumably become the third target. Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman are pretty set in stone. Marquise Brown is leaving behind 146 targets from a year ago. There are mouths to be fed. If Likely pops then maybe we have our answer for who the third guy is.
However, if we’re really making that argument, there isn’t much historical data to suggest that’s even possible. History will tell you (as I went over in the Kyle Pitts article from last year) rookie tight ends take a while. This is not a position that pumps out rookie relevant players. In fact, it basically never happens.
I’m now supposed to believe that Likely will do this as a 4th rounder while not even being the best option at the position? Seems NOT likely if you ask me. Maybe Likely turns out better than I project him to be but still the odds of him doing this right away as a consistent option in year one is basically a no-chance scenario.
Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates, etc. Name whoever you want. None of those guys mattered in fantasy as rookies. Am I supposed to believe Isaiah Likely is on that tier? I’m not going there. Not even entertaining that discussion. If you want a fantasy sleeper tight end list, I got you.
If I’m taking a shot on any Ravens receiver later in drafts, give me Devin Duvernay. Really fast with great hands. I don’t think he’s Deebo (obviously) but Duvernay could have an expanded role and has the skill set to take a real step forward in year 3.
