Who Should I Start? Jake Ferguson or Isaiah Likely

Sunday, August 17, 10:48 PM

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (back) did not play during the team's preseason contest against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The 26-year-old was sidelined near the start of the month, and although he returned to the practice field roughly one week ago, it appears that he wasn't healthy enough to play in Dallas' second preseason game. As a result, the Cowboys gave more passing opportunities to tight ends John Stephens Jr. and Princeton Fant. However, in reality, Devyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker would be first in line to replace Ferguson if he's unable to suit up in Week 1. He's still an intriguing fringe top-12 fantasy tight end with Dak Prescott back under center this year. Even last year, while catching passes from both Prescott and Cooper Rush, Ferguson caught 59 passes for 494 yards. He did not catch a touchdown, finishing 2024 with double-digit fantasy points in just three of his 14 games. However, positive touchdown regression could vault him back up into the top-12 or top-15 range this year.

Wednesday, August 27, 6:51 PM

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said that "we expect him back in the early part of the season," when asked about the timetable for injured tight end Isaiah Likely (foot). Likely was not placed on short-term Injured Reserve on Tuesday despite suffering a small fracture in his foot early in training camp in late July that required surgery. While it's ultimately good news for the 25-year-old, it doesn't mean that Likely is going to be ready to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Buffalo Bills. Likely's injury definitely makes veteran Mark Andrews are more intriguing midrange TE1 target in upcoming fantasy drafts. Likely had a slightly bigger role alongside Andrews in 2024 and finished with a 42-477-6 line (all career-highs) in 16 regular-season games (nine starts). Likely is a low-end TE2 worth stashing in fantasy, especially TE-premium leagues.