Isaiah Likely (knee/groin) limited to begin Week 5

The Giants’ passing offense is tethered to Jameis Winston’s scattershot arm, but Likely has a favorable matchup against the Commanders’ defense this week. He can be started as a low-end TE1 in this divisional showdown.

Likely is on track to face the Commanders’ fantasy-friendly defense in Week 5. Ideally, we will see him upgrade to full participation tomorrow. The Giants’ starting tight end warrants TE1 treatment thanks to his workload and plus matchup.

Likely’s 12 targets were a new season high as fill-in QB Jameis Winston finally got a little something going through the air. That included two heinous interceptions, but we were beginning to wonder if Winston was ever going to complete another pass. That he did stabilizes Likely’s low-end TE1 value, though we have no doubt the giveaways will stick in the coaching staff’s mind. This is still an offense that is going to work to hide the quarterback and potentially start trade acquisition J.J. McCarthy at some point this fall. Those variables limit Likely’s upside even if the floor is now looking a little better heading into Week 5 against the Commanders.

Likely’s yardage total came back to Earth last week with just 33 despite seeing 10 targets. It fell further today, as did the target total. On the plus side, he finished second on the team in receiving opportunities and finished with a 23 percent target share. Likely remains the team’s de facto No. 2 receiver behind Malik Nabers. That simply wasn’t worth much in terms of fantasy points today. He remains a solid TE1 bet for Week 4 against the Cardinals.

Although fantasy managers are thrilled with the team-leading 10 targets, the nature of those targets is cause for concern considering the uneven play from backup quarterback Jameis Winston. Starter Jaxson Dart was forced from the game with a knee injury on the team’s first possession and it would not be shocking to see him miss games considering the mechanism of his injury, leaving the offense in the hands of the inconsistent Winston. Even so, fantasy managers will be thrilled to start Likely in a plus matchup against the Titans in Week 3, particularly considering the multitude of injuries at the position throughout the league.

Making his debut for a new team, Likely didn’t wait long to prove he can be a featured tight end for the Giants, scoring on the final possession of the first half and first possession after the break. His first score highlighted his athleticism as he escaped coverage to the corner of the end zone from 15 yards out while his second trip to paint was reminiscent of a Nagy design for Travis Kelce in which the veteran tight end shed a chip-block in the flat for an easy score from two yards. Likely looks every bit of a fantasy TE1 but gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2. Even so, you’re starting him if you got him.

Graziano affirmed what every fantasy manager believes: Likely will probably be the team’s WR2 behind Malik Nabers this season. New York coaches, according to Graziano, “love the way he has embraced and evolved his relationship with Jaxson Dart since he has been in New York. Likely is a regular visitor to the quarterback room, and the connection he has formed with Dart on and off the field could pay major dividends.” Graziano said Likely could be Dart’s top option if Nabers needs time to get back to full speed as he recovers from his 2025 ACL injury. Likely profiles as an easy click for fantasy drafters who forgo the game’s elite tight ends.

With Malik Nabers still off the field, that’s a given. Still, Likely finds himself as barely a top-12 tight end by ADP. The argument could be made that he belongs closer to the top 10. “Given the way [Jaxson] Dart likes to throw to his tight ends, it suggests that Likely is in for a breakout season given the chemistry they already have developed,” Raanan concludes.

The drumbeat continues to grow louder for Likely, who has been rumored multiple times throughout the offseason as the player the team was planning to feature. In June, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan said Likely was Jaxson Dart’s “favorite target” in practice, so this latest piece of news hardly comes as a surprise. According to Hughes, Likely has “displayed clear early chemistry with Dart” in training camp, and the 26-year-old tight end “appears to be the No. 2 option behind Nabers.” Currently going around the 10th round in fantasy drafts, Likely could emerge as a solid late-round option for fantasy managers who pass on the elite tight end options early in drafts.

With Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton both sidelined with injuries, it’s not a complete surprise to hear that Likely was the preferred target over recently signed vets like Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster. That said, it’s an encouraging sign for Likely and his fantasy managers, who are hoping that his first season away from Mark Andrews can lead to a breakout in 2026. Likely had a down year in 2025, posting career lows in targets (36), receptions (27), yards (307), and touchdowns (1), while appearing in 14 games. The 26-year-old tight end has shown flashes throughout his career and has drawn praise throughout much of the offseason. He profiles as a fringe TE1/TE2 with a chance for immense upside in an offense that’s devoid of top talent at receiver after Nabers.