Who Should I Start? Isaiah Likely or Mason Taylor

Tuesday, December 2, 11:59 AM

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely posted his most productive performance of the season in Week 13, recording five catches for 95 yards on six targets against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the 25-year-old was also responsible for one of the turning points in the game when he coughed up a fumble as he was crossing the goal line, turning a touchdown into a touchback. Still, Likely's increased involvement is a positive sign for fantasy managers. Although he's failed to find the end zone so far this season, Likely recorded six touchdowns on 58 targets across 16 games in 2024 and has shown stretches of red zone chemistry with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throughout his career. The presence of tight ends Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar in Baltimore limits Likely's upside, as he's played fewer than 60% of the team's offensive snaps in six straight games heading into his Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, in deep fantasy leagues, Likely may be worth stashing off the waiver wire in case an injury to Andrews opens up a significant playing time opportunity in Baltimore.

Tuesday, December 2, 5:11 PM

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor's playing time in the offense has remained steady, but he hasn't been a big factor in the passing game lately. Since scoring his first touchdown of the season in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the rookie has recorded just 10 receptions for 76 yards on 15 targets in four games. The Jets' poor offensive environment limits his fantasy upside, and he's been overshadowed by the team's trade-deadline acquisitions of receivers John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell. The rookie second-rounder still has intriguing upside for the long term, but he will be tough to trust in fantasy lineups with the playoffs approaching in Week 15 in most leagues.