Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Isaiah LikelyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.4 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Gunnar Helm edges Isaiah Likely by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Gunnar Helm goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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TETennessee Titans#40PPG LEADER

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

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

Gunnar Helm

Isaiah Likely

Head to Head

4.4 PPG3.4 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% of elite pace and Isaiah Likely at 15%. That ranking gap means Gunnar Helm carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown

Gunnar Helm (4.4 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. Gunnar Helm played 16 games for the Tennessee Titans; Isaiah Likely suited up 14 times for the New York Giants.

A 1.0-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.

Gunnar Helm is the volume tight end in this matchup with 44 receptions for 357 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 Gunnar Helm, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Gunnar Helm 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: Gunnar Helm (age 23) 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?

•Gunnar Helm outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Isaiah Likely's 14. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gunnar Helm scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Isaiah Likely: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Isaiah Likely
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	3.4
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	48
Receptions	44	27
Rec/Game	2.8	1.9
Receiving Yards	357	307
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	21.9
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	55	36
Target Share/Game	3.4	2.6
Age	23	26
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

Gunnar Helm outscored Isaiah Likely by 1.0 PPG in 2025 (4.4 to 3.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gunnar Helm or Isaiah Likely in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gunnar Helm has the edge at 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm and Isaiah Likely average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Isaiah Likely's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) 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 Gunnar Helm or Isaiah Likely a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm outscored Isaiah Likely by 1.0 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.