Who Should I Start? Isaiah Likely or Michael Mayer

Friday, June 12, 9:56 AM

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.