What to Do?

[oldno82]

We have a plethora of riches at tight end: Andrews, Likely, and Kolar. All in the last year of their contracts. We can't afford them all so who do we keep and who do we trade?

Take your best shot.

[papasmurfbell]

Andrews is gone.  He should have been traded already.  It’s probably too late now so comp picks.  I ink likely now.

[oldno82]

Yeah, I think they keep Likely. Not sure about Kolar. There might still be time to trade Andrews but I think they'll let him play out his contract here as you suggested. 

[papasmurfbell]

If nobody has him yet why would they grab him now?

[oldno82]

If they might want him for the upcoming season and think we'll let him play out his contract here, why not trade now?

[papasmurfbell]

If you trade now you won’t get picks to help this yr.  It could be player for player but that is incredibly rare.  

[tsylvester]

A side from being tall, I am not sure what all of the fuss is about Kolar? Has he shown any run after the catch ability, escapability?

He should be easy to keep if they want him.

Likely has earned the top the spot, improved his blocking, defiant in challenged catches, it's his ball. And yes, play making oozes out of his pores.

Sure, would have been nice to get something for Andrews who has done nothing but be a true Raven, one of the best tightends in the game for many years, one of the best ever team wise and that is saying something, Ozzie, Heap, Shannon, Andrews, wow...

And now Likely, what a run....

But Andrews has to be let go after the season, unless he wants a vet min deal to stay and retire a Raven.

[papasmurfbell]

Kolar will be cheap.  Maybe 2.5 mil per.

[tsylvester]

Yep, unless he wants to test the waters, but I doubt any team would give him much more

[oldno82]

I think we get Kolar cheaply too. Likely is the key guy to keep.

Andrews has been a classy guy. I hope, and think we will, treat him that way whether he's here or elsewhere.

[papasmurfbell]

I’m hoping we can get likely inked in the area fant in now.  He is pulling 10.5 per.

[tsylvester]

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/john-harbaugh-i-want-to-see-isaiah-likely-be-an-all-pro

Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is entering the final year of his rookie deal, recently noting that he’s focused on making plays happen rather than his contract.

But if his head coach’s vision comes to fruition, Likely will be in line for a big payday moving forward.

“I want to see [Likely] be an All-Pro,” John Harbaugh said in his press conference this week. “That’d be my goal for him, and he’s capable of it.”

Likely has flashed his potential throughout his first three seasons. A fourth-round pick in 2022, he’s been the second tight end to Mark Andrews for much of his career. In last year’s season opener, he caught nine passes for 111 yards with a touchdown — and nearly had a second at the end of the game.

But Likely didn’t have another 100-yard game for the rest of the season. His top output was four catches for 75 yards in a Week 11 loss to the Steelers. He ended the year with 42 receptions for 477 yards with six touchdowns.

Entering 2025, Likely said this week that he sees himself as a versatile piece for the offensive unit.

“I feel like in the offense, whether I’m out wide, in-line, in the backfield, anywhere, really just understanding [my job] and making plays where the plays really aren’t there to be made,” Likely said of his expectations for the upcoming season. “Just always trying to go the distance. Whether I catch a pass, whether I’m blocking down the field, always trying to make an explosive play happen while I’m on the field.”

In 49 total games with 19 starts, Likely has 108 catches.

[oldno82]

He has the right attitude and ability. He just needs more opportunities. If he can stay healthy I think this is his year. Ideally he should get an extension before the season starts. Then he has to stay healthy.

[papasmurfbell]

He will be at least 15% more expensive on the market.  Ink him now.  For some reason only 1 of them produces in 2 te sets.  I don’t get why.

[oldno82]

Maybe they're reluctant to send both out in patterns, preferring to hold one in to pass block or be a safety valve. Just a guess.