Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy play this season.

Dalton Schultz has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.6-PPG advantage is real (8.0 to 3.4), and Dalton Schultz's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Isaiah Likely is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEHouston Texans#18PPG LEADER

Dalton Schultz

PPG

8.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 8

TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dalton Schultz

Isaiah Likely

Head to Head

8.0 PPG3.4 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Schultz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Schultz is producing at 36% of elite pace and Isaiah Likely at 15%. That ranking gap means Dalton Schultz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dalton Schultz vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Dalton Schultz (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 8.0 fantasy points per game in 17 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 Schultz carries a 4.6-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.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 yards, while Isaiah Likely profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 27 catches). In weeks where Isaiah Likely finds the end zone he out-scores Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dalton Schultz sits Week 8 while Isaiah Likely is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Dalton Schultz 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 Schultz (age 29) 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 Schultz outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 78 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to Isaiah Likely's 14. That durability gap means Dalton Schultz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dalton Schultz scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Dalton Schultz saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Schultz vs Isaiah Likely: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dalton Schultz	Isaiah Likely
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.0	3.4
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	48
Receptions	82	27
Rec/Game	4.8	1.9
Receiving Yards	777	307
Rec Yds/Game	45.7	21.9
Receiving TDs	3	1
Targets	106	36
Target Share/Game	6.2	2.6
Age	29	26
Experience	7 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Dalton Schultz holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.0 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 Schultz or Isaiah Likely in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Schultz has the edge at 8.0 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 Schultz and Isaiah Likely average in 2025?▾

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.6 points per game.

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

Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Dalton Schultz outscored Isaiah Likely by 4.6 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.