Isaiah Likely
TE Coastal Carolina 6-4 245 SR #4
GRADE: 77 OVR RANK: NR POS RANK: NR
ARM LENGTH: 31 7/8”//HAND SIZE: 10”//40YD: 4.80 (58%)//10YD: 1.70 (45%)
VJ: 36” (90%)//BJ: 10’03” (94%)//BP: 15 (24%)//SS: 4.57 (23%)//3C: 7.39 (30%)
Projection: All-around TE who can see the field early in his career in all situations and will develop into a starting TE with more blocking responsibilities in 2/3 years. Best in a zone scheme that gets him to the second level frequently. Draft Projection: Day 3 ~ GrindingTheMocks.com
Ravens Fit: Not the best scheme fit for the Ravens at TE, as while he is good as an in-line blocker, his best fit as a blocker is in a scheme that allows him to get out in space and bully DBs. He does play like a Raven though with toughness, determination and aggression as a blocker. He uses mostly play strength and some processing to gain separation. The Ravens often look for more natural athletic ability in their Tight Ends and so Likely would not be a guy they value as highly as other teams.
Overall Fit 
3/5
Receiving
He has a good release from the line of scrimmage using good hand placement and play strength when jammed or when sorting through the traffic when lined up as the end man. He could use his footwork more effectively when space releasing. Against off coverage he will stem at the DB and attack leverage. He has good upper body strength and play strength and uses this to get away quickly and into his route stem. His route stem is remarkably consistent and it allows him to win with good processing at the break-point, manipulating defenders with the consistency of his stem and his good body posture through all the different types of break.
His main vehicle for separating is his play strength which is very good. He understands how he can use his size and strength advantage against DBs to get to the back of their shoulder and get back on top of them – can use a club, arm-over move, reminiscent of a good pass-rusher to get open on corners or posts. He has some athletic ability to win but it is only solid speed and change of direction that helps him. He’s a guy who sets the DB up just enough with his stem and body lean to bring his play strength into play to separate. On speed cuts, he can make the transition in 3 yards not 2, but does use his posture to keep the DB honest and then wins at the catch-point with his body positioning to box out. On hard-angle breaks he can snap his face out of the break but his footwork going into the break gives away his intention. On vertical cuts, he stems at the defender and use an elbow jam to turn his body, after a pressure step to take the opposite direction to the break.
He is attentive to small details in the stem and at the break-point and it helps to maximize his separation ability. He has excellent hands – catching outside of his frame but letting the ball slightly closer to his body when he anticipates a hit and needs to secure it quickly. He can catch both stationary and on the move, adjusting well to over and underthrown balls. He has good contact balance to gain YAC as well as running over some DBs, he has good explosion too and will hurdle when he can.
Blocking
Very good blocker. In space, he positions very well and hits with authority when he’s on the run, he seeks out contact and has excellent physical toughness. When he’s not delivering blows, he shows he can fit and finish in space on DBs and smaller LBs with authority, landing his hands in the strike-zone with timing. At the line of scrimmage in shorter spaces, he can also land blows on bigger defenders and shows good technique with his footwork and fitting – playing with consistent leverage. He could drive his feet on contact more to finish against defenders with better play strength. He is nasty and will play through the whistle. He is competitive and aggressive.
SUMMARY
Savvy separator who can win at the break-point with play strength. Great hands – good body positioning to box out. Not super athletic but excellent technique as a run blocker.
PRODUCTION
SR: 77 Tgts, 59 Recs, 912 Rec Yards (15.5 Ave), 12 Rec TD
JR: 48 Tgts, 30 Recs, 601 Rec Yards (20.0 Ave), 5 Rec TD
INJURY: Played through injury; missed only 1 G (JR)
RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 3
Intelligence 4
Versatility 4
Grit 5
Scheme 3
