Isaiah Likely vs Kyle Pitts: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) averaged 9.8 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Isaiah Likely (New York Giants, 3.4 PPG) by 6.4 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
A 6.4-PPG gap gives Kyle Pitts the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Kyle Pitts is the volume tight end in this matchup with 88 receptions for 928 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 Kyle Pitts, but the floor gap is real.
One scheduling note: Isaiah Likely is off Week 11 and Kyle Pitts Week 12. 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.
