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Dalton Kincaid vs Isaiah LikelyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dalton Kincaid is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.9 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Kincaid is the better fantasy play this season.

Dalton Kincaid is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 8.9 PPG and 571 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Isaiah Likely (3.4 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Dalton Kincaid as the starter and Isaiah Likely as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TEBuffalo Bills#11PPG LEADER
Dalton Kincaid
PPG
8.9
Games
12
Rec
39
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7
TENew York Giants#99
Isaiah Likely
PPG
3.4
Games
14
Rec
27
Rec Yds
307
Rec TDs
1
Targets
36
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dalton Kincaid
Isaiah Likely

Head to Head

8.9 PPG3.4 PPG
12 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Kincaid: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #11 at the position). Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Kincaid is producing at 40% of elite pace and Isaiah Likely at 15%. That ranking gap means Dalton Kincaid carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dalton Kincaid vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo Bills) finished the 2025 season averaging 8.9 fantasy points per game in 12 games. Isaiah Likely (New York Giants) came in at 3.4 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Dalton Kincaid carries a 5.5-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dalton Kincaid had 39 catches for 571 yards; Isaiah Likely posted 27 for 307. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Dalton Kincaid has his bye in Week 7, and Isaiah Likely rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Dalton Kincaid at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Isaiah Likely is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dalton Kincaid (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Dalton Kincaid outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to Dalton Kincaid's 12. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Dalton Kincaid scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Dalton Kincaid saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Kincaid vs Isaiah Likely: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDalton KincaidIsaiah Likely
PPG (Half-PPR)8.93.4
Games Played1214
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10748
Receptions3927
Rec/Game3.31.9
Receiving Yards571307
Rec Yds/Game47.621.9
Receiving TDs51
Targets4936
Target Share/Game4.12.6
Age2626
Experience2 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Dalton Kincaid holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.9 points per game. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dalton Kincaid or Isaiah Likely in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Kincaid has the edge at 8.9 PPG compared to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Dalton Kincaid and Isaiah Likely average in 2025?

Dalton Kincaid averaged 8.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are Dalton Kincaid and Isaiah Likely's bye weeks in 2026?

Dalton Kincaid (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Kincaid or Isaiah Likely a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Dalton Kincaid outscored Isaiah Likely by 5.5 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.