Isaiah Likely vs Juwan Johnson: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Isaiah Likely and Juwan Johnson 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 Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 for the New Orleans Saints (17 games).
That 4.9-point weekly advantage for Juwan Johnson 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.
Juwan Johnson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 77 receptions for 889 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 Juwan Johnson, but the floor gap is real.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Isaiah Likely sits Week 11 while Juwan Johnson is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
