Raiders 2022 NFL draft: 3 surprising picks in the 3rd Round
Raiders 2022 NFL draft: 3 surprising picks in the 3rd Round
Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
With Darren Waller and Foster Moreau on the team, not to mention the addition of the Red Zone threat, Jacob Holliser, this one might be confusing to some. The initial confusion is understandable, but the Raiders have confirmed interest in Likely, and we’re going to talk about why that is.
Since before he was the official head coach of the Raiders, Josh McDaniels believed in a two-tight end system for Las Vegas. In fact, he believed in this approach so much, that he pitched the idea to Mark Davis during his interview, which Davis was reportedly “blown away” by.
Coastal Carolina’s Isaiah Likely is the perfect complement to Darren Waller in this system.
Unlike both Moreau and Hollister, Likely is an instant mismatch against most linebackers. This is due to a combination of things, from his 6’4 height to his route running and catching abilities. Most notably, though, Likely is a vertical threat.
The footwork and breakaway speed of Likely combine to make him an effective threat both downfield and in shorter situations. In college, the tight end was noted for his big-play abilities, being versatile enough to even line up as a receiver at times. In 2020, he showed off his playmaking skills on his way to averaging 20 yards per catch. The following season, Likely found the end zone 12 times.
If the Raiders can pair him up with Waller, they’ll be able to run two-tight end sets against any team in the league and do it efficiently. Las Vegas has also struggled mightily in the Red Zone over the last handful of seasons, and drafting Likely goes a long way in helping to fix that, as well.