Isaiah Likely vs Jake Tonges: Who Should You Start?
Isaiah Likely (3.4 PPG) and Jake Tonges (4.5 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. Isaiah Likely played 14 games for the New York Giants; Jake Tonges suited up 17 times for the San Francisco 49ers.
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. Isaiah Likely had 27 catches for 307 yards; Jake Tonges posted 34 for 293. 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: Isaiah Likely sits Week 11 while Jake Tonges is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
