Who Should I Start? Isaiah Likely or Mason Taylor

Friday, December 12, 10:49 AM

Across 10 games so far this season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has recorded 22 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown on 31 targets. While his full-season numbers don't jump off the page, the 25-year-old appears to be trending upwards. Over his last two games, Likely has hauled in nine catches for 124 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. If not for an ill-fated fumble at the goal line in Week 13 and a questionable call on a dropped touchdown in Week 14, Likely might have three scores over the last two weeks. Given veteran tight end Mark Andrews' (glute) presence in Baltimore, Likely's playing time usually has a defined ceiling. However, Andrews popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a glute injury heading into Baltimore's Week 15 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Andrews is facing any sort of missed time, Likely would immediately emerge as a high-upside starting tight end option for fantasy managers.

Friday, December 12, 12:05 PM

New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (neck) won't be available for Sunday's road clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. The 21-year-old sustained a neck injury in last weekend's 34-10 loss to the Dolphins that caused him to begin the week with two DNPs at practice. It will be the first missed game of the LSU product's career. Taylor isn't the only starter the Jets will be missing in Week 15, as rookie signal-caller Brady Cook will get the start in veteran Tyrod Taylor's (groin) stead. With Taylor out, fellow tight end Jeremy Ruckert will slot in as the team's first option at the position. Andrew Beck and Stone Smartt (concussion) figure to rotate in behind him.