Isaiah Likely

New York Giants
Tight End #80
FANTASY NEWS STATS INJURY

Isaiah Likely News RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Could Hit The Ground Running This Season

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is creating some real buzz in the fantasy community mostly because he is no longer blocked for playing time behind Mark Andrews for the Baltimore Ravens. He has been impressive in training camp and there is a real belief among many who follow the team that he emerges as the No. 2 target behind Malik Nabers on the outside for the Giants. Adam Bernstein of GMENHQ, a Giants blog, wrote this about Likely: "Given the state of New York's receiver room, there's a real chance he functions as Dart's No. 2 receiving option behind Malik Nabers." Likeley played in 14 games last year with the Baltimore Ravens and caught 27 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown playing most of the season behind Andrews on the depth chart. This is an opportunity for a breakout season for Likely in an expanded role.

Sep 10, 2026 6:59 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Could Have a Breakout Season in First Year With Giants

ESPN's Dan Graziano does not think anyone should be surprised if tight end Isaiah Likely is a "breakout star" in his first season with the New York Giants in 2026. Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh from the Baltimore Ravens to the Giants in free agency, and Giants coaches "light up" when talking about Likely. The coaching staff thinks that Likely will "be a real asset" for quarterback Jaxson Dart as a receiver and "think he can win in both man and zone coverage." The Giants love how he has evolved his relationship with Dart, and he is a regular visitor to the QB room. The connection that Likely has formed with Dart on and off the field "could pay major dividends." Graziano thinks that Likely is a strong candidate to be the Giants' second-leading receiver this year, and potentially more if receiver Malik Nabers (knee) needs more time to get up to speed after tearing his ACL and meniscus early last year. The 26-year-old former fourth-rounder from Coastal Carolina never had over 477 receiving yards or six touchdowns in his four years in Baltimore, where he was in the shadow of Mark Andrews. Now that he is the TE1 in the Big Apple, Likely has clear TE1 upside in fantasy, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 15 player at the position heading into the new season.

Sep 2, 2026 8:16 AM EST

Isaiah Likely a Potential Steal at Current ADP

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely's stock continues to rise this offseason, but his ADP has remained quite reasonable as fantasy football drafts are in full swing. Entering this summer, there was uncertainty about how Likely and Theo Johnson would split reps in this Giants offense. As the preseason has progressed, it has become evident that not only is Likely the No. 1 tight end here, but he has also emerged as one of quarterback Jaxson Dart's favorite targets. There are plenty of vacated targets available following the departure of wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who was targeted 280 times over the last two seasons. While a lot of those targets should go to Malik Nabers, who is coming back from an ACL tear, Likely should also see significant volume. Presumably, his floor is what we saw from Johnson last year: 45 catches, 528 yards, five touchdowns, and a TE18 finish. Meanwhile, his ceiling is a top-five fantasy tight end. There's a lot working in his favor, including the fact that he's athletic, sits atop the depth chart, has the trust of his quarterback and head coach, and plays in an offense that is trending upward. Likely currently has a 10th-round ADP in most leagues, which is a very reasonable price tag for a tight end who figures to get in your starting lineup every week.

Aug 28, 2026 5:35 PM EST

Isaiah Likely Emerging as Major Piece of Giants Offense

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is becoming one of Jaxson Dart's most trusted targets, according to Jordan Raanan. Likely caught six passes during live drills in Thursday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, with Raanan describing him as Dart's security blanket and favorite receiver. This hasn't come out of nowhere. Dart and Likely started building chemistry during the spring, and the Giants have featured their tight ends heavily throughout training camp. Likely gives Dart a big target in the middle of the field and can move around the formation, something New York has taken advantage of all summer. Malik Nabers is still working his way back from last year's knee injury, but Raanan expects Likely to remain a major part of the offense even once Nabers returns. Likely caught only 27 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown with Baltimore last season. His role in New York is shaping up to be much bigger.

Aug 20, 2026 11:14 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Sees Prominent Role on Third Down in Preseason Opener

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely caught both of his targets for 11 yards in the team's 13-10 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Likely caught both of his passes on third down, converting both to move the chains. While his receiving role appears to be a major factor (especially on third down) in offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's offense, his snap share was notable. In 16 snaps that the first-team played during their first preseason matchup, Likely played just six snaps, while Theo Johnson played seven and blocking tight end Chris Manhertz played five. Likely played all six of his snaps in 11 personnel, while Johnson and Manhertz operated primarily in heavy personnel. We've seen highly valued tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Evan Engram struggle to produce last season due to their low snap counts, so this could be something to watch for Likely during the course of the 2026 season.

Aug 15, 2026 5:01 PM EST

Isaiah Likely Becoming Favorite Target for Giants QB

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely could be ready to make a big impact with his new team. In recent practices, Likely has been quarterback Jaxson Dart's favorite target. He snagged a team-high four receptions during Friday's practice session. The wide receiver room is a bit cloudy right now, so Likely has a chance to step up and make an impact in a big way. The 26-year-old could end up being the top target in New York until Malik Nabers (knee) returns to the field. Likely is Rotoballer's TE14, but he has the upside to be a top-10 player at his position this season.

Aug 7, 2026 5:14 PM EST

Isaiah Likely the Number Two Option Behind Nabers

Despite a deep room of wide receivers on the New York Giants roster, NFL Insider Connor Hughes reports that it is tight end Isaiah Likely standing out as the number two option behind 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers. Hughes calls Likely "more of a utility weapon than a traditional tight end" and points to his early chemistry with Jaxson Dart and the team's willingness to move him across the formation as indicators that a big year could be on the horizon. Likely has made plays at all three levels through the early days of training camp and could be in line for the heaviest target share of his young career after spending four seasons in Baltimore with All-Pro Mark Andrews. Likely is RotoBaller's TE14 and represents the exact type of upside that fantasy managers should be seeking in the later rounds of 2026 drafts.

Aug 3, 2026 5:52 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Becoming a Safety Valve in Giants Offense

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely was one of the team's most active pass catchers on Saturday, hauling in six of his nine targets during competitive sessions, and The Athletic's Dan Duggan sees his place taking shape in a new-look Giants offense. After leading the team and nearly doubling the next closest player with 131 targets in 2025, receiver Wan'Dale Robinson departed for Tennessee in free agency, and Duggan believes Likely will inherit that underneath safety valve role for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. After sharing a depth chart with three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews for four seasons in Baltimore, Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, signing a three-year, $40 million deal. Harbaugh has sung Likely's praises for years, and with him finally getting an opportunity to serve as his team's primary tight end, with heavy volume potentially coming his way, RotoBaller's TE14 is a breakout candidate to target in the later rounds of drafts.

Aug 2, 2026 6:01 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Showing Strong Connection With New Quarterback

The New York Giants have a lot riding on new tight end Isaiah Likely after they signed him to a three-year, $40 million deal in free agency in March, so it's good to hear from John Fennelly of Giants Wire that he and new quarterback Jaxson Dart "have already shown a connection in early workouts this past spring." The former fourth-rounder by the Baltimore Ravens out of Coastal Carolina in 2022 could never get out of Mark Andrews' shadow in his four seasons with the Ravens, but he'll have a chance to immediately break out in 2026 in his first year in the Big Apple after following head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants. The G-Men think that the 26-year-old can become offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's receiving tight end out of the slot to create mismatches for opposing defenses. Likely can also be used as a blocker, but the Giants will probably have others do most of that. After catching 135 of his 194 targets for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons with the Ravens, Likely will enter 2026 as a low-end TE1 target/high-end TE2 target in fantasy drafts with the potential for a true breakout in New York.

Jul 17, 2026 10:18 AM EST

Isaiah Likely has Clear Breakout Potential Now That he's Out of Baltimore

The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is a breakout candidate in 2026 after signing a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency, the richest contract the team handed out in new head coach John Harbaugh's first season in the Big Apple. The big contract (he's now the fourth-highest-paid TE in the NFL) wasn't considered an overpay, either, because Likely's receiving talent is evident. The 26-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2022 by Baltimore out of Coastal Carolina never exceeded 42 receptions or 477 receiving yards in his four seasons in Baltimore because of the presence of veteran Mark Andrews. With the Giants, Likely will operate as the G-Men's unquestioned No. 1 tight end after following Harbaugh from Baltimore, and "the team needs his production to match his compensation." Likely's case for a 2026 breakout will be even stronger if top wideout Malik Nabers (knee) isn't ready for the start of the regular season in September. Likely is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 14 fantasy TE, but he'll have top-10 upside at the position if he stays healthy in his first year in New York.

Jul 15, 2026 11:02 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Remains a Potential Redraft Sleeper Entering 2026

After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, tight end Isaiah Likely signed a three-year deal with the New York Giants this past spring. Likely consistently flashed upside as a Raven, but his production in Baltimore was limited by the presence of Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. In New York, Likely will play alongside another talented tight end in Theo Johnson. Still, the Giants' financial commitment to Likely seemingly indicates that he will get a chance to be his team's clear TE1 for the first time in his career. Even in a part-time role with the Ravens, Likely collected 11 receiving touchdowns across a two-season span from 2023 to 2024. Early reports out of Giants camp indicate that Likely has already begun to establish himself as a high-volume target in a New York passing game that is riddled with health and production question marks. Likely's profile comes with some risk, but he certainly has the potential to vastly outproduce his current redraft ADP of TE11.

Jul 7, 2026 10:30 AM EST

Isaiah Likely the Favorite Target of Young QB in Spring Practices

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, who followed head coach John Harbaugh over from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, was quarterback Jaxson Dart's "favorite target in open practices this spring," according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The athletic tight end was dangerous on crossing routes, and his needle is pointing firmly up in fantasy football as the 2026 season nears. The 26-year-old former fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2022 out of Coastal Carolina never had more than 477 yards in his four seasons in Baltimore, but he should be a featured piece of the Giants' offense after he saw a career-low 36 targets in 2025. Duggan writes that the G-Men gave Likely a three-year, $40 million contract based on the projection that he "will thrive" after spending the last four years in Mark Andrews' shadow. We should expect the Giants to "manufacture touches for Likely on screens." RotoBaller has likely ranked as the No. 12 fantasy TE right now, and if receiver Malik Nabers (knee) isn't ready for the start of the season, Likely's role will be even bigger early on.

Jun 12, 2026 9:56 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Carries Significant Dynasty Upside into First Season in New York

After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, tight end Isaiah Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency with the New York Giants this past March. Likely routinely flashed high upside during his time in Baltimore, but his path to consistent fantasy production was blocked by the presence of fellow Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. In New York, Likely may now be facing another playing time split with incumbent Giants tight end Theo Johnson. However, the team's sizable financial commitment to Likely indicates that he is the Giants' TE1, as does Likely's familiarity with new Giants and former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Additionally, Likely could conceivably open 2026 as the number one target in New York's passing game with star Giants wideout Malik Nabers (knee) facing an uncertain recovery timeline from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Likely's fantasy profile still lacks certainty, but his dynasty upside is significant as he enters his first season with his new team.

Jun 5, 2026 8:59 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Remains Well-Positioned for Mid-Career Breakout Following NFL Draft

After spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, tight end Isaiah Likely landed a three-year, $40 million deal with the New York Giants in free agency. Likely flashed upside throughout his time with Baltimore, but his path to consistently fantasy-relevant production was often blocked by the presence of veteran Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. In New York, Likely could find himself in another timeshare for tight end snaps with incumbent Giants tight end Theo Johnson. Johnson had a solid year in 2025, recording 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets across 15 games. However, given the financial investment the Giants made in Likely and the fact that he's following former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore to New York, it wouldn't be shocking to see Likely open the year as the clear TE1. The Giants also do not have an obvious second option in the passing game behind star wideout Malik Nabers (knee), which could further open the door for a breakout year from Likely. A significant jump in production for Likely is not guaranteed, but his dynasty value is in a better spot after his move to New York.

Apr 28, 2026 8:58 AM EST

John Harbaugh "Certain" Isaiah Likely Will Break Out

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said that he is "certain" tight end Isaiah Likely will take a major leap in 2026, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Harbaugh explained that he saw tremendous upside in Likely when the two were together in Baltimore, but the tight end never had much of an opportunity to break out because of the scheme and personnel. Indeed, Likely had his career-worst fantasy finish last year, checking in as the TE45 with 27 catches, 307 yards, and one touchdown. If Harbaugh is right, Likely could be due for his first-ever top-18 finish in 2026. However, we also need to be careful of just how much trust we invest in offseason coachspeak. Likely finds himself in a crowded Giants offense that also features Malik Nabers (knee), Theo Johnson, Darius Slayton, and Darnell Mooney. Likely is a high-risk, high-reward trade target this offseason. He could break out, as Harbaugh suggested, but he could also be headed for another year in a depth role.

Apr 5, 2026 9:15 AM EST

Isaiah Likely Expected to be "Featured Piece" in Giants Offense

New tight end Isaiah Likely, who received a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency, is expected to be a "featured piece" in the New York Giants' offense this year, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan adds that the Giants essentially swapped Likely in for receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, "signaling the shift in their offensive approach" under new head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Likely will be paired often with fellow TE Theo Johnson, while Chris Manhertz was re-signed as the primary blocker at the position. Likely, 25, was expected to be a bigger part of the Baltimore Ravens' offense in 2025 under Harbaugh, but the former fourth-rounder suffered a foot injury in the preseason and got a late start to the year. He never really recovered and finished with a career-low 27 catches for 307 yards and only one touchdown on 36 targets in 14 games (seven starts). Likely will be an obvious bounce-back candidate in fantasy football in 2026, although Johnson's presence could keep his ceiling low.

Mar 17, 2026 9:05 AM EST

Giants Signing Isaiah Likely to Three-Year Deal

The New York Giants are signing former Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million deal on Monday with a maximum value of $47.5 million, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The deal makes Likely the third-highest paid tight end in the NFL and will pair him with young quarterback Jaxson Dart and receiver Malik Nabers. The 25-year-old will finally get out of the shadow of veteran Mark Andrews in Baltimore. The move to the Big Apple will make Likely a popular sleeper pick in 2026 fantasy football drafts with clear TE1 upside, although the Giants still have a very capable pass-catching TE in Theo Johnson. The money the Giants are giving Likely suggests he'll be the primary TE1 in New York next year, giving him the most fantasy upside he's had yet in his career. A foot injury caused Likely to get a late start in 2025, and he never recovered, finishing with a career-low 307 yards and only one touchdown on 27 catches through 14 games.

Mar 9, 2026 9:17 AM EST

Giants Targeting Isaiah Likely in Free Agency

Baltimore Ravens impending free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely is among the players that the New York Giants are targeting in free agency, with the legal tampering period starting on Monday, March 9, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The obvious connection here is that new Giants head coach John Harbaugh coached Likely in Baltimore. The 25-year-old had 1,568 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns on 135 catches in his four seasons with the Ravens, but he suffered a foot injury in training camp that caused him to miss the start of the 2025 season, and he never really recovered. Likely finished with a 27-307-1 line in 14 games (seven starts). Ultimately, he just hasn't been able to get out of the shadow of Mark Andrews, which is why it would be smart for him to sign elsewhere this offseason. A move to New York might not be the ideal fit, however, with rising TE Theo Johnson already on the roster.

Mar 8, 2026 8:43 PM EST

Ravens Want to Re-Sign Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine that the team would still like to re-sign impending free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Likely had a career year in 2024 with 42 catches, 477 yards, and six touchdowns on 58 targets in 16 regular-season games, but a foot injury cost him three games to start the 2025 campaign, and he never recovered. The 25-year-old caught just 27 of his 36 targets for a career-low 307 yards and one touchdown in 14 games played. It didn't help his cause that quarterback Lamar Jackson missed time with injury, too, and had one of the worst years of his career. The Ravens want Likely to return, but it's looking more likely that Likely will look for greener pastures on the open market and potentially a chance to be a bona fide TE1. The presence of Mark Andrews in Baltimore has made Likely an inconsistent TE2 in fantasy.

Feb 24, 2026 8:12 AM EST

Isaiah Likely on his Way Out in Baltimore?

Baltimore Ravens impending free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely isn't ruling out a return to the Ravens in free agency, but he also said "business is business" when it comes to a team that recently signed TE Mark Andrews and receiver Rashod Bateman to new deals, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Likely suffered a foot injury in the preseason that caused him to miss the first three games of the 2025 season, and he was never able to recover, finishing with just 27 catches for a career-low 307 yards and one touchdown in 14 games played. The 25-year-old told his agent that "I just want to be able to blossom," and that's unlikely to happen with the Ravens as long as Andrews is still around. All signs are pointing to Likely moving to another team this offseason, which should make him more attractive as a potential TE1 in fantasy.

Feb 23, 2026 9:13 AM EST