Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Isaiah Likely vs Jake FergusonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jake Ferguson outscored Isaiah Likely by 5.3 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jake Ferguson 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.

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TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEDallas Cowboys#14PPG LEADER

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Isaiah Likely

Jake Ferguson

Head to Head

3.4 PPG8.7 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Isaiah Likely is producing at 15% of elite pace and Jake Ferguson at 40%. That ranking gap means Jake Ferguson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isaiah Likely vs Jake Ferguson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Isaiah Likely and Jake Ferguson for your lineup, you are not alone. Isaiah Likely finished the 2025 season at 3.4 PPG for the New York Giants (14 games), and Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 for the Dallas Cowboys (17 games).

That 5.3-point weekly advantage for Jake Ferguson 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.

Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 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 Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Isaiah Likely is off Week 11 and Jake Ferguson Week 14. 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

Jake Ferguson 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: Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jake Ferguson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jake Ferguson outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Isaiah Likely's 14. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Isaiah Likely vs Jake Ferguson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isaiah Likely	Jake Ferguson
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.4	8.7
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	48	148
Receptions	27	82
Rec/Game	1.9	4.8
Receiving Yards	307	600
Rec Yds/Game	21.9	35.3
Receiving TDs	1	8
Targets	36	102
Target Share/Game	2.6	6.0
Age	26	27
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jake Ferguson at 8.7 PPG, 5.3 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Isaiah Likely or Jake Ferguson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 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 Isaiah Likely and Jake Ferguson average in 2025?▾

Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.3 points per game.

When are Isaiah Likely and Jake Ferguson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11, and Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isaiah Likely or Jake Ferguson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson outscored Isaiah Likely by 5.3 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.