The New York Giants have reportedly been calling around the league looking for help at wide receiver, and their best option might’ve been lining up at tight end this whole time.
Isaiah Likely had another monster afternoon in Sunday’s 27-27 tie with the Washington Commanders, hauling in 11 catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. He (and the rest of us) had to briefly sweat out a replay review on his second score after getting the ball punched out of his arms right as he reached across the goal line.
He and Malik Nabers became just the second WR/TE duo in NFL history to each post 11-plus catches, 90-plus yards, and a touchdown in the same game, joining Minnesota Vikings stars Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson.
Through five games, Likely has 33 catches for 284 yards and a team-high four scores. After four years of playing second fiddle to Mark Andrews in Baltimore, he’s finally getting to be the guy, and he’s making general manager Joe Schoen’s receiver shopping spree look a little silly.
Forget the trade deadline, Isaiah Likely is already the Giants’ WR2
Big Blue’s interest in another receiver isn’t exactly a secret. The insiders of all insiders, Adam Schefter, reported that the G-Men have made exploratory calls on available wideouts, and they were linked to Marvin Harrison Jr. before the Cardinals shipped him to Houston. They also recently restructured Chauncey Golston’s contract, giving Schoen a little more cap space to work with if he does find a deal he likes.
It makes sense. Odell Beckham Jr. got cut after only seeing one target in three games, and Braxton Berrios is out for the year with a foot injury. That leaves Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and Malachi Fields as the only real receivers on the active roster (no offense to Charlie Jones and Dalen Cambre), and Mooney caught just two of his seven targets (with two drops) for 14 yards on Sunday. Yuck.
And that would be a problem for most teams, but Likely is doing an incredible job as Big Blue's WR2. He lines up everywhere. He’s too fast for linebackers and too big for defensive backs, and 19 of his 33 catches have gone for first downs. When Jameis Winston needs a play, there's little doubt where his eyes are looking.
That doesn’t mean the Giants shouldn't go exploring. Another playmaker in the receiver room wouldn’t hurt, especially with the rate of injuries this team has had to finagle around already. But spending already-limited draft capital on a receiver feels somewhat unnecessary when the tight end they paid $40 million this offseason is already playing like one.
If Schoen wants to make a splash before the Nov. 10 deadline, a pass rusher might make more sense. Kayvon Thibodeaux can't get to the quarterback, and the Giants are kicking the tires on pass rushers who are coming off the couch. Likely seems to have the passing game covered.
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