Fantasy Football: Assessing Tight Ends: Isaiah Likely & Mark Andrews

2024 Fantasy Football: Navigating the Ravens’ Tight End Duo, Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews

The Ravens have long relied on their tight end position for offensive production, and the 2024 season has been no different. With both Andrews and Likely sharing time, fantasy football managers have found themselves in a bind when it comes to picking the right one. Let’s break down their performances and what fantasy owners should do moving forward.

Mark Andrews: The Safer Bet, But Underwhelming?

Andrews started the season slow, causing some fantasy managers to panic. However, in recent weeks, Andrews has started to return to form, scoring a few key touchdowns and reestablishing himself as a reliable target for Lamar Jackson. Andrews remains one of the top tight ends in the league, but his snap count and usage have fluctuated, leaving some doubt.

If you’re an Andrews owner, the advice here is to hold on. While he might not have the explosive consistency you expect from a top-tier tight end, he is still a top option in a position group that lacks depth. His rapport with Jackson makes him a reliable red-zone threat, and his upside remains higher than most tight ends in fantasy football. Despite the slow start, he has too much potential to drop.

Isaiah Likely: A Solid Backup or Future Starter?

18 Receptions, 207 Yards, 3 Touchdowns

Likely burst onto the scene earlier this season when Andrews was slow to get going, and for a time, he seemed like the tight end to own in Baltimore. Likely’s athleticism and ability to make big plays made him a hot waiver wire pickup. However, as Andrews has started to assert himself more in the offense, Likely’s fantasy value has taken a hit.

That said, Likely remains an intriguing option for those who can afford the bench space. With 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns, his potential for spot starts or breakout games remains high. If you own both Andrews and Likely, holding onto Likely as insurance makes sense, especially given Andrews’ injury history. However, if roster space is tight, and you need immediate production elsewhere, you may need to let Likely go.

Betting on Ravens Tight Ends: A Strategic Play

When it comes to betting, the Ravens’ tight end duo offers some intriguing opportunities, especially in player prop markets. Andrews is always a good bet to score a touchdown, particularly in red-zone situations. His connection with Jackson makes this one of the more reliable props in any given game.

Likely’s role is more unpredictable, but this can play to your advantage if you’re looking for higher-risk, higher-reward bets. Likely has shown a knack for big plays, so betting on him to hit an over on receiving yards or snag a touchdown could pay off, particularly in games where Baltimore is facing tough defensive matchups and may need to get creative with their offensive schemes.

Conclusion: Hold Andrews, Watch Likely

For fantasy managers, the decision between Andrews and Likely depends largely on your current roster situation. Andrews is still the tight end to own in Baltimore, but Likely’s athleticism and potential make him worth holding in deeper leagues. If you’re pressed for space or need immediate help elsewhere, Likely can be dropped, but he’s worth keeping as a stash in most situations. From a betting standpoint, both tight ends provide intriguing prop bet opportunities depending on game script and matchups.

In short, Andrews should remain in your starting lineup, while Likely can be viewed as a high-upside bench option or deep-league stash. Keep an eye on both players as the Ravens’ offense continues to evolve this season.

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