Who Should I Start? Isaiah Likely or Colston Loveland

Friday, September 5, 4:53 PM

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (ankle) was ruled out for the season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. As expected, Likely won't take the field after failing to practice this week. It sounds like he has been doing some work on the side, but isn't ready for game action yet. That being said, it's possible that Likely misses more than just the season opener. Mark Andrews will be the primary option at tight end with Charlie Kolar seeing increased usage with Likely out. Fantasy managers will need to check back next week for another update on Likely. The absence of Likely does slightly increase the fantasy value of Andrews for the season opener.

Saturday, September 6, 2:45 PM

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland makes his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Drafted 10th overall in 2025, Loveland enters the league with high expectations as a long-term playmaker in Ben Johnson's offense. However, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Week 1. Loveland will begin his rookie season in a timeshare with veteran Cole Kmet, who has been a steady producer throughout his five-year career. With target competition across the offense and the necessity for a Caleb Williams Year 2 leap, Loveland's fantasy value may take time to materialize. The matchup doesn't help either, as Minnesota's defense allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season. Until his role becomes clearer, Loveland is best treated as a low-end TE2 in Week 1.