When the New York Giants signed tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million deal in free agency, the hope was he'd turn the flashes and glimpses of electric play in Baltimore into an offensive cornerstone.
After all, paying the guy $13.333 million per year after never eclipsing 42 receptions or 477 yards in four seasons was a choice. And while the signing always felt like the right decision at the time, it took Likely exactly one game to prove he was worth the gamble.
The 26-year-old wrapped up Week 1 with game-highs across the board: eight receptions, 78 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Not too shabby for your first night in Giants blue.
Franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart looked his way early and often in the 28-20 season-opening victory, and Likely rewarded him by catching every single ball thrown his way. If this is what happens when Likely finally gets the opportunities he spent four years waiting for in Baltimore, the G-Men might’ve gotten themselves an absolute steal.
Giants got exactly what they paid for with Isaiah Likely in Week 1
It wasn't just the fans who were buzzing about Likely's dominance. Superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers spoke with the media after the game and threw some high praise at the former Coastal Carolina standout:
"Every time it goes to 9, I know it's going to get caught."
Nabers isn’t wrong. Dart looked his way eight times, and the 6-foot-4, 240-pound offensive chess piece came away with eight catches. Likely did fumble in the first quarter, but fullback Patrick Ricard recovered it, and that was about the only blemish on an otherwise awesome Giants debut.
Leek had a good game himself, especially considering it was his first game back since suffering a torn ACL in Week 4 of last season. He was targeted nine times, catching six passes for 69 yards. He still needs some time to get his legs and confidence back, but Sunday was a great first step.
It’s always tough to gauge a Week 1 contest. Seldom do they paint the whole story of the season, but it’s nearly impossible not to get excited about where this Giants team is headed under new head coach John Harbaugh.
When Likely followed Harbs up I-95 from Charm City to North Jersey, he finally got the opportunity to become more than the intriguing tight end playing behind Mark Andrews. Eight catches and two touchdowns later, that opportunity is already looking pretty damn good on him.
He’ll get his next chance to build on an impressive season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in another primetime matchup on Monday night, Sept. 21, at SoFi Stadium.
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