DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

George Kittle vs Isaiah LikelyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. George Kittle outscored Isaiah Likely by 8.7 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, George Kittle is the clear pick. Isaiah Likely profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track George Kittle and Isaiah Likely in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER
George Kittle
PPG
12.1
Games
11
Rec
57
Rec Yds
628
Rec TDs
7
Targets
69
Bye
Week 8
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
George Kittle
Isaiah Likely

Head to Head

12.1 PPG3.4 PPG
11 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Isaiah Likely at 15%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown

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 8 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Isaiah Likely is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • George Kittle outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 148 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • George Kittle saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Isaiah Likely is 6 years younger than George Kittle (26 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs Isaiah Likely: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatGeorge KittleIsaiah Likely
PPG (Half-PPR)12.13.4
Games Played1114
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13348
Receptions5727
Rec/Game5.21.9
Receiving Yards628307
Rec Yds/Game57.121.9
Receiving TDs71
Targets6936
Target Share/Game6.32.6
Age3226
Experience8 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor George Kittle at 12.1 PPG, 8.7 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on George Kittle 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 George Kittle 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 George Kittle or Isaiah Likely in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 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 George Kittle and Isaiah Likely average in 2025?

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 8.7 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Isaiah Likely's bye weeks in 2026?

George Kittle (SF) 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 George Kittle or Isaiah Likely a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

George Kittle outscored Isaiah Likely by 8.7 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.