Expect to continue hearing words like “sleeper” and “breakout” when discussing New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely.
After four seasons of splitting reps with Mark Andrews, the 26-year-old Likely joins the Giants as their unquestioned starting tight end.
John Harbaugh, who drafted and coached Likely with the Ravens, has spent the offseason publicly raving about Likely and his fit in New York.
As is often the case with good intentions, though, Harbaugh is playing with fire by bestowing such high expectations on the veteran tight end.
Isaiah Likely could be the Giants’ next star tight end if all goes to plan
Let the record show that we’re not predicting that Likely will be a monumental bust in New York. In fact, Harbaugh has the right idea, and Likely could absolutely thrive in Matt Nagy’s offense. The only issue is when optimism breeds unrealistic hype.
By constantly talking Likely up as if he’s an established Pro Bowler, Harbaugh is unintentionally setting him up to fail — at least, in Giants’ fans’ eyes. The current generation of athletic, playmaking tight ends has spoiled football fans.
Likely will be a first-time starter with a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart. Both could easily encounter growing pains along the way.
For the sake of conversation, let’s say that Likely ends his first Giants season with 60 catches and 600 receiving yards. Only 10 tight ends league-wide had that many receptions a year ago, and 13 tight ends finished with at least 600 yards.
Would that be good enough for Giants fans, though?
Maybe when they receive the additional context, sure. But all of Harbaugh’s talk makes one think Likely will have a 1,000-yard season.
Let’s just try to pump the brakes where we can. Likely is in a position to thrive, especially if Dart stays healthy. How great are the odds that the Giants will have their first Pro Bowl tight end since Evan Engram? Let’s just say that, upon further review, such an outcome feels … Likely.
All too easy.
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