Andrews is a three-time Pro Bowler and widely considered one of the most reliable tight ends in the NFL. His rapport with Lamar Jackson is off the charts. Likely has room to grow after two seasons.

DeCosta gushed about the 24-year-old tight end’s improvement heading into Year 3.

“I love ‘Zay’ [Isaiah Likely]. He’s a playmaker,” DeCosta said via the team’s official transcript. “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.’ He’s another guy — I’ve seen an urgency with him. 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.”