Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Isaiah LikelyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.5 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Darnell Washington and Isaiah Likely are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Darnell Washington and Isaiah Likely in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TEPittsburgh Steelers#38PPG LEADER

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Isaiah Likely

Head to Head

4.5 PPG3.4 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Isaiah Likely at 15%. That ranking gap means Darnell Washington carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown

Darnell Washington (4.5 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 13 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Isaiah Likely suited up 14 times for the New York Giants.

A 1.1-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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darnell Washington outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darnell Washington scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Darnell Washington saw 43 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Isaiah Likely: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Isaiah Likely
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	3.4
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	48
Receptions	31	27
Rec/Game	2.4	1.9
Receiving Yards	364	307
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	21.9
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	43	36
Target Share/Game	3.3	2.6
Age	24	26
Experience	2 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Darnell Washington at 4.5 PPG, 1.1 points per game above Isaiah Likely's 3.4. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Darnell Washington vs Isaiah Likely

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Darnell Washington vs Isaiah Likely

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Washington or Isaiah Likely in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darnell Washington has the edge at 4.5 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 Darnell Washington and Isaiah Likely average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Isaiah Likely's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Isaiah Likely a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington outscored Isaiah Likely by 1.1 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.