George Kittle vs Isaiah Likely: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 12.1 PPG over 11 games in 2025, outscoring Isaiah Likely (New York Giants, 3.4 PPG) by 8.7 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
That 8.7-point weekly advantage for George Kittle is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
George Kittle is the volume tight end in this matchup with 57 receptions for 628 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 George Kittle, but the floor gap is real.
One scheduling note: George Kittle is off Week 9 and Isaiah Likely Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
