Who Should I Start? Isaiah Likely or Michael Mayer

Friday, May 30, 12:49 PM

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has high hopes for rising tight end Isaiah Likely as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025. "I want to see [Likely] be an All-Pro," Harbaugh said . "That'd be my goal for him, and he's capable of it." The former fourth-rounder in 2022 has been the backup to Mark Andrews for much of his career, but that could be changing in 2025. Likely caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the season opener a year ago, but he didn't have another 100-yard game the rest of the year. He ended the season with 42 catches, 477 yards and six touchdowns. In 49 total games with Baltimore, including 19 starts, Likely has 108 catches for 1,261 yards and 14 TDs. In 10 games that Andrews has missed due to injuries the last three years, he had 530 yards and seven TDs. If Andrews misses any more time in 2025, Likely will be a must-start TE1 on a weekly basis.

Friday, June 13, 6:15 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is expected to get more involved in the offense this upcoming season. Mayer looked nonexistent with Brock Bowers ahead of him on the depth chart last season. He finished the season with 21 receptions and 156 receiving yards in 11 games. After failing to trade Mayer, the Raiders have decided to get the former second-round pick more involved in the offense. Mayer has reportedly looked good in camp and has built a solid relationship with new head coach Pete Carroll. It's worth noting that Bowers is going to remain the unquestioned No. 1 tight end and primary passing option. Mayer showed good potential during his time in college, so hopefully the Raiders are able to find a way to get him involved.