Ravens earn NFL's top TE room title in latest rankings

The Baltimore Ravens have always been strong at tight end, and their latest incarnation of the duo might be the most effective the team has ever had. Mark Andrews remains at the top of his game, and Isaiah Likely is starting to come into his own.

Even though Andrews has struggled to stay healthy, his prime still ranks him among the best in the game. With Likely starting to learn even more positions on offense, the breakthrough year that puts the rest of the league on notice could be upon us for the Coastal Carolina product.

Both have been so impressive that offensive coordinator Todd Monken, known for his vertical passing game and history of producing gaudy wide receiver numbers, might revamp his offense to incorporate more two-tight sets. With two entry-level players, this move would have the support of many analysts.

CBS Sports ranked the top 20 tight ends in the league, and the Ravens were the only team on the list that could place two players on that list. They probably slipped into 19th place overall, while Andrews was ranked third behind Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and San Francisco’s George Kittle.

Isaiah Likely is learning every receiving spot in the Ravens offense. 👀

“It’s a chess piece – whether it’s in the slot, inline, in the backfield, spread wide. The more you know, the longer you can stay on the field.” https://t.co/CR9OnnnQkv

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) June 24, 2024

Andrews’ skills have been proven time and time again, as he is on pace to possibly set the Ravens’ career records for catches and receiving yards. Not bad for a player who managed to fall in the draft because recruiters were worried about his profile among the pros.

He is probably the best No. 2 tight end in the league, as he has displayed starter-level production when called upon. His 17-game pace would have put him just under 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns if extrapolated over a full season, which shows how dramatically he has improved.

It remains to be seen how long this tandem can actually stay together. Andrews will be in the final year of his contract in 2025, he will likely want a new deal in the near future, and the Ravens will have to work around other big extensions currently on their payroll.

While this group may not be around much longer, Baltimore is fully committed to these two being the focal point of the passing game next season. Andrews and Likely are both high-end receivers, which should make life easier for Lamar Jackson as he chases a title.