Did Cowboys Give Ravens a Framework for Isaiah Likely Contract Extension?
Isaiah Likely is one of more than half a dozen Ravens players who are candidates for a contract extension, and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson's new deal could be an indication of what Likely's next contract might look like.
It was reported Sunday that Ferguson and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year extension worth $52 million in new money with $30 million in total guarantees. Ferguson is the seventh highest-paid tight end based on annual salary.
The career stats for Ferguson, 26, and Likely, 25, are comparable. Ferguson, who Dallas took 10 spots before Likely in the fourth round in 2022, has 149 catches for 1,429 yards (9.6 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. Likely has 108 catches for 1,261 yards (11.7 YPC) and 14 touchdowns.
Ferguson has been the Cowboys' starting tight end the past two seasons, while Likely has been TE2 behind Mark Andrews. Ferguson has 102 more career targets than Likely.
With Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott missing half of the 2024 season, Ferguson's production took a hit, as he went from 71-761-5 in 2023 to 59-494-0. Likely posted career highs in catches (42), yards (477), and touchdowns (six) last seasons.
All three of the Ravens' tight ends – Andrews, Likely, and Charlie Kolar – are entering the final year of their contracts.
Commenting earlier this offseason on the possibility of an extension for Likely, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec wrote: "There isn't any football reason not to extend Likely if the Ravens believe in his upside. He's young, talented and plays a position that more and more teams are investing in. The only drawback would be how much the Ravens are willing to earmark for the tight end position. If Baltimore chooses Likely long term over Andrews, that becomes a moot point."
Other contract extension candidates for the Ravens include quarterback Lamar Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, and defensive tackle Travis Jones.
Derrick Henry Wants to be Even Faster This Season
Running back Derrick Henry is coming off one of the best seasons of his nine-year career, but the five-time Pro Bowler said he is determined to elevate his game even more this season.
One specific aspect he wants to improve on is his speed.
Henry, who turned 31 in January, was quite fast last season. He reached 20-plus mph on six plays, tied for fourth-most in the league, including a season-best 21.72 mph on an 81-yard run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
However, Henry was tackled at the 11-yard line on that run, and he hasn't forgotten it.
"A couple times I got caught last year," Henry told NFL Network's Brian Baldinger and Bridget Condon. "I saw you do a 'Baldy's Breakdown' on the one from Tampa. So hopefully not get caught and be faster than I was last year."
Undrafted Rookie CB Reuben Lowery Is Standing Out, But He Faces 'Math Problem'
With the first week of training camp completed, The Baltimore Banner’s Childs Walker looked at what we've learned thus far.
One undrafted rookie who has impressed Walker is cornerback Reuben Lowery. However, Walker noted that "it's a tough year to be a training camp hero" because of the Ravens' loaded secondary.
"Reuben Lowery has already made his name ring out, and that's no small feat for a 5-foot-9 undrafted defensive back from Tennessee-Chattanooga who's surrounded by Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Jaire Alexander, Nate Wiggins, Malaki Starks, etc.," Walker wrote. "Lowery picked off backup quarterback Cooper Rush during Thursday's practice, adding to the pile of interceptions he'd amassed during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. On a defense that has made creating turnovers its No. 1 priority, there's no better way to seize coaches' attention.
"But there's a significant math problem confronting Lowery, even if he keeps it up. Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta likes to say the team can never have enough defensive backs. He lived up to his credo in the offseason, not only signing starting cornerback candidates Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie but using three draft picks on cornerbacks and safeties. With other recent picks such as Sanoussi Kane and T.J. Tampa also angling for playing time, it's not clear there are any spots to claim. Lowery might have to take a job from one of the team's two sixth-round cornerback picks, Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam."
Head Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged last week that Lowery has been making a strong impression, and Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr expressed a similar sentiment on Saturday.
"Reuben has made plays since he's been here, and we're upfront with our guys in the meeting rooms," Orr said. "We tell them, 'Hey, block out distractions. Don't count numbers, don't worry about who's in the room. All you do is show up, work hard, make plays and be consistent. That will lead to productivity. Now you put yourself in a great situation to do great things,' and so far, Reuben has done that, so he's playing all over the secondary for us. He's been really impressive. I'm excited to see him continue to grow and see what he does the rest of the summer."
