Week 12 Waiver Wire Possibility: Should You Add Isaiah Likely After Mark Andrews Injury?
Discussing whether or not Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely should be added to your fantasy football team after the season-ending injury to Mark Andrews.
The tight end position is already a tricky one for fantasy football owners to figure out, so losing a top option like Mark Andrews makes it that much more of a challenge.
If you were one that owned the Baltimore Ravens star tight end, or are still looking for a good starting option at the position, let’s discuss whether Isaiah Likely - the Ravens’ backup TE - is a good option.
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Andrews’ Fantasy Value
Andrews has been one of the best fantasy tight ends for several seasons now. His connection with quarterback Lamar Jackson is one of the best in the NFL and makes Andrews a must-start fantasy option every week.
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This season, Andrews had 45 receptions on 61 total targets in his 10 games played. He turned his receptions into 544 yards and a team-leading six touchdown grabs.
Andrews had been targeted 14 times in the red zone, which was the second most in the league amongst tight ends. His 10 red zone grabs were tied for the most. All six of his scores came on red zone plays.
Likely’s Production and Fantasy Outlook
Likely was actually a somewhat trendy name during drafts this fall, especially in deeper formats. His average draft position was 243, which made him the 31st fantasy tight end taken. Most leagues weren’t drafting him, but he was still going ahead of some team’s starters.
Some of the hype around Likely was because of what he did in his rookie season last year. He caught 36 of the 60 passes thrown his way for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
With the Ravens’ on the verge of possibly becoming a more pass-friendly offense - and lacking a ton of proven wide receivers - it made some sense why some believed Likely could break out, even alongside Andrews. That simply hasn’t happened though.
In 11 games this season, Likely has been targeted just 12 times, making nine grabs for 89 yards. He hasn’t scored a touchdown.
Likely’s best game came a couple weeks ago when the Ravens dominated the Seattle Seahawks. Likely had four catches on as many targets for 42 yards.
Outside of that game, Likely has two or less targets in every game, including three weeks without a target.
Likely hasn’t been playing all that much either. Likely played 46 offensive snaps in the team’s opening game, which Andrews missed. He was on the field for 49 offensive snaps this past week, again with an injury to Andrews leading to that.
Likely hasn’t topped 25 offensive snaps in any other week. It’s surprising to see Likely barely getting any playing time after what he did as a rookie. It’s more surprising when you see that really only Andrews and Zay Flowers have been consistent pass catchers this season.
Even though it’s been a down season, there has to be hope that with extra playing time, Likely could recapture some of what he accomplished as a rookie. The Ravens obviously like to get the tight end involved, and now there’s a gaping hole in the offense minus Andrews.
How to Approach Likely
It’s going to be hard for fantasy owners to be all in on Likely seeing his season numbers.
In standard redraft leagues, I think I’d also need to see some evidence before being convinced enough to add Likely. That means I’m waiting for at least one decent fantasy showing before targeting him.
In deeper leagues where the waiver wire is already pretty thin, especially at the tight end position, you might have to add Likely this week or he’ll be scooped up by someone else. If you had Andrews or have room on your roster for Likely, then you might as well take a chance on him. I’d do my best to keep him out of my starting lineup if possible, again trying to wait for a decent fantasy showing.
The tight end position is looking pretty weak for the week 12 waiver wire, so there’s really not too many other options out there. Be sure to check back Tuesday for a waiver wire priority story on sparsely-owned tight ends. Likely will be part of the story, and we’ll give some other possible options at that time.
