Based on all the offseason excitement surrounding New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, you’d think he was the end result of a fusion between Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, and Tony Gonzalez.
Likely arrives in New York with massive expectations, in part because of head coach John Harbaugh’s constant praise and raving.
Having coached Likely in Baltimore, Harbaugh has made it clear he expects Likely — who played behind Mark Andrews the last four years — to emerge as the Giants’ next star receiving threat.
ESPN fantasy football analyst Eric Moody clearly feels similarly and believes Likely is a breakout fantasy football candidate.
“New York lacks proven pass-catching options behind Malik Nabers, and Likely has already produced TE1 numbers when given opportunities,” Moody wrote. “His only extended stretch without Andrews came in 2023, when he averaged 13.5 fantasy points per game over seven games.”
Likely and Washington’s Chig Okonkwo were the only tight ends to crack Moody’s list of 10 fantasy sleepers.
What should fantasy football players realistically expect from Isaiah Likely?
The downside of all the Likely excitement is Harbaugh, as well as the outside media, possibly unintentionally creating the impression that anything shy of a 1,000-yard season should be considered a failure.
ESPN projects Likely to record 64 catches for 680 yards and four touchdowns, giving him just under 156 fantasy points. That would rank 13th among tight ends, and ESPN considers him a high-end TE2 option.
Only 10 tight ends league-wide had 60 catches last season, and 13 tight ends finished with at least 600 yards.
Touchdowns are the key to Likely’s fantasy numbers skyrocketing. Starting receivers Malik Nabers (knee) and Darius Slayton (sports hernia surgery) are rehabbing, and Nabers remains questionable for the Sept. 13 opener against Dallas.
Although Slayton is not participating in organized team activities, he is expected to be ready for training camp.
Jaxson Dart needs Likely to immediately solidify himself as a safety blanket and dependable option, just as Lamar Jackson has in Andrews. Matt Nagy’s offense is at its best when quarterbacks know they can rely on their tight ends.
Granted, Likely is no Travis Kelce, but the latter is also a likely (pun not intended) first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Fantasy football players can take whatever they can get, and if it means Likely proving why the Giants guaranteed him $26 million this offseason, then he’ll quickly become a fan favorite even outside of New York.
Add us as a preferred source on Google