Charlie Kolar
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The Baltimore Ravens can repeat a "double-dipping" draft strategy after Charlie Kolar left in 2026 NFL free agency.
A busy opening to 2026 NFL free agency left the Baltimore Ravens depleted at tight end, but the team can replace 2022 fourth-round draft picks Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely by repeating a “double-dipping” strategy that has served them well in the past.
That’s the view of Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, who anticipates Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta leaning on history to restock the depth chart at a key position. Zrebiec pointed out that “With Likely and Kolar moving on, Mark Andrews is only TE on the Ravens roster. There’s obviously room for a FA, but the Ravens love double-dipping on TEs in the draft. Did it with Dickson-Pitta, Maxx Williams-Boyle, Hurst-Andrews, Likely-Kolar.”
With Likely and Kolar moving on, Mark Andrews is only TE on the Ravens roster. There's obviously room for a FA, but the Ravens love double-dipping on TEs in the draft. Did it with Dickson-Pitta, Maxx Williams-Boyle, Hurst-Andrews, Likely-Kolar https://t.co/Ah6Uyt4gLm
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 9, 2026
DeCosta leaning into this strategy looks necessary after Kolar cashed in by joining a rival within the AFC on Monday, March 9. Likely had already opted to reunite with former head coach John Harbaugh earlier in the day.
Safeguarding Harbaugh’s successor, rookie sideline general Jesse Minter, is DeCosta’s primary job. He’ll likely stick to the draft-centric approach that informs the Ravens not overpaying for homegrown talent.
Fortunately, this looks like a good year to delve into the rookie class for tight end help.
Draft Offers Tight End Reset Opportunities
The 2026 NFL draft cohort of tight ends isn’t necessarily loaded at the top, but depth is excellent. Leaving the Ravens with more than a few opportunities to reload and reset the rotation behind returning veteran All-Pro Mark Andrews.
An obvious place to start would be the Ravens exploring using their first pick to target at least one of the group of tight ends behind Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. The latter is considered the marquee prospect at the position, with Sports Illustrated’s Mark Morales-Smith stating Sadiq “has everything an NFL scout looks for from a modern-day pass-catching tight end.”
Likely was supposed to fit that label, but things never worked out as planned, so DeCosta can go hunting for a younger alternative. Somebody like Cincinnati standout Joe Royer, who “projects as a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses,” according to Morales-Smith.
Royer should easily be in the sights of a Ravens team no longer owning a first-round pick following the trade for All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby. Getting on the board at pick 45 still gives DeCosta plenty of options, and so does the Ravens earning four compensatory picks after defections on the first day of free agency, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The increase in late-round selections should position the Ravens to also replace Kolar’s skills.
Ravens Have Clear Alternative to Charlie Kolar
There’s a reason Kolar was considered one of the top sleepers on this veteran market. He offered a more complete skill-set than Likely as a big-bodied target with an underrated flair for the big play in the passing game, but also somebody sturdy and willing enough to be an effective blocker.
Replacing Kolar will mean the Ravens identifying a more traditional tight end in this year’s draft. Their efforts should focus on running the rule over Stanford’s Sam Roush.
Describe by Matt Williamson of Steelers.com as “the prototypical inline tight end-and that is a position that being more and more coveted in today’s NFL,” Roush is a 267-pounder who fits the physical brand of offense the Ravens have played for years.
Putting Roush and Royer alongside Andrews would maintain the strength and versatility of a tight end group still set to be a feature under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
He put Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland onto the field together frequently for the Chicago Bears in 2025, so Doyle will appreciate the Ravens thoroughly overhauling their own tight end room.
If history is anything to go by, DeCosta will oblige by doubling down during the draft.