Darnell Washington vs Isaiah Likely: Who Should You Start?
Darnell Washington (3.6 PPG) and Isaiah Likely (3.4 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Darnell Washington played 16 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Isaiah Likely suited up 14 times for the New York Giants.
A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 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.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darnell Washington sits Week 9 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.
