The Ravens entered the 2024 NFL season with Mark Andrews installed as the No. 1 option on their tight end depth chart.
They may be rethinking that pecking order after Isaiah Likely's Week 1 performance against the Chiefs.
Likely was one of Baltimore's biggest offensive stars during the tightly contested, 27-20 Kansas City win. He was one of Lamar Jackson's favorite targets throughout the contest and ultimately paced the team in receiving yards during the game.
MORE: Fantasy Week 1 waiver wire watchlist from FTN
Likely also had Baltimore's first receiving touchdown, which saw him break away from Jaylen Watson in coverage, make him miss, and log an impressive run after the catch to reach the end zone.
ISAIAH LIKELY SO GOOD
— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2024
📺: #Kickoff2024 on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/wusReXzb9I
Here's an in-depth look at Likely's stats from his Thursday night opener and what fantasy owners should expect from him moving forward.
MORE CHIEFS-RAVENS:
Lamar's missed throws | Final play | Rice's big game | Ravens' O-line penalties
Isaiah Likely stats today
Likely was the Ravens' most productive receiver in their Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. Below is a look at his numbers in the contest and where they ranked among the team's pass-catchers.
| Stat | Total | Rank |
| Targets | 12 | 1st |
| Receptions | 9 | 1st |
| Receiving yards | 111 | 1st |
| Receiving TDs | 1 | 1st |
| Yards per catch | 12.3 | 2nd |
Likely's 49-yard touchdown was also the longest play of the day for Baltimore's passing offense up to that point. Jackson seemed to look downfield for him on a couple of occasions, so despite being a 6-4 tight end, he may end up being one of Baltimore's top deep threats.
At the very end of the game, Likely nearly landed with his second touchdown, which would have given the Ravens a chance to tie or beat Kansas City. This came after he got banged up on a prior play, but returned to the field.
Isaiah Likely came back in the game & caught the touchdown…but his foot was on the line
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 6, 2024
What a finishpic.twitter.com/XiZUvNlCLD
However, Likely's foot was barely out of the back of the end zone, and his touchdown was overturned, ending the 2024 season opener.
Although he missed out on another touchdown grab, Likely paved the way for Baltimore's offense on Thursday and broke out in a big way.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Isaiah Likely fantasy outlook
Trusting a one-game sample size is risky in fantasy football, but Likely could have the volume needed to be a high-end TE1. It will simply depend on whether the Ravens continue to utilize him in the role they did Thursday or if that was more of a matchup-specific game plan.
Likely's productivity may also depend on whether the Ravens plan to target Andrews more frequently than they did in the season opener. While the veteran was on the field for the majority of Baltimore's snaps, he was targeted just twice and had two catches for 14 yards.
Fantasy owners looking to add Likely should probably expect Andrews to be a bit more involved than he was during Baltimore's season opener. Even so, Likely should get enough opportunities to be a potential top-10 fantasy tight end, so he should be a high-priority waiver add in all formats.
