Ravens GM Has High Praises For TE Duo: ‘Best Tandom in League’

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta believes that the Ravens have the NFL’s best tight end duo in Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews.

The Ravens are excited to have Andrews, a former first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, back this season after he missed most of the second half of last season with an ankle and fibula injury he underwent surgery for. Andrews has missed some practices recently, but is ready to go for the season.

Along with Andrews, DeCosta and the Ravens believe they have an emerging playmaker at the position in Likely. The Ravens’ fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft came on strong at the end of last season as he recorded five touchdowns in the final seven games of the season.

“He’s another guy — I’ve seen an urgency with him,” DeCosta said, via the Ravens’ official website. His leadership, interaction with other players … He’s kind of changed from being a rookie to being a vet, and I just feel like he and Mark Andrews will be the best tandem at their position in the league and really create a lot of problems for opposing defensive coordinators.”

Few teams value their tight end as a marquee playmaker more than the Ravens. Prior to last season, Andrews led the Ravens in receiving in both 2021 and 2022, posting 1,300 yards during the 2021 season. Andrews is regularly two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson’s top target.

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The run-oriented Ravens have often relied on their tight end play in part due to their lack of a true No. 1 receiver ever since Jackson became their starting quarterback. The Ravens might have found their answer at that position, though, in second-year receiver Zay Flowers, who DeCosta is already high on.

“I love Zay. He’s a playmaker,” DeCosta said. “He’s got route-running ability — [he’s] similar to a receiver in some ways. [He’s] strong after the catch; that’s something that going back to college when I evaluated him, that’s the one thing you kind of hung your hat on, ‘This guy was dangerous with the football in his hands.’ “

The shifty receiver provides another dimension to the Ravens’ offense, with his way of movement allowing him to tack on yards after the catch. During his rookie season in 2023, Flowers led the Ravens in receiving as he posted 77 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns. Flowers then added nine catches for 156 yards and a touchdown during two postseason games.

The Ravens’ trio of playmakers will open up the season this Thursday.