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Head to Head

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Isaiah Likely vs Noah FantWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Noah Fant 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

Noah Fant is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Noah Fant 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, Noah Fant 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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TENew York Giants#99
Isaiah Likely
PPG
3.4
Games
14
Rec
27
Rec Yds
307
Rec TDs
1
Targets
36
Bye
Week 11
TECincinnati Bengals#39PPG LEADER
Noah Fant
PPG
4.4
Games
13
Rec
34
Rec Yds
288
Rec TDs
3
Targets
41
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Isaiah Likely
Noah Fant

Head to Head

3.4 PPG4.4 PPG
14 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Noah Fant: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Isaiah Likely is producing at 15% of elite pace and Noah Fant at 20%. That ranking gap means Noah Fant carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isaiah Likely vs Noah Fant: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Isaiah Likely and Noah Fant is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG with the New York Giants across 14 games, and Noah Fant posted 4.4 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 13.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Isaiah Likely had 27 catches for 307 yards; Noah Fant posted 34 for 288. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Isaiah Likely has his bye in Week 11, and Noah Fant rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Noah Fant (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Noah Fant outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to Noah Fant's 13. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Noah Fant scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Noah Fant saw 41 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 Noah Fant: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatIsaiah LikelyNoah Fant
PPG (Half-PPR)3.44.4
Games Played1413
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)4857
Receptions2734
Rec/Game1.92.6
Receiving Yards307288
Rec Yds/Game21.922.2
Receiving TDs13
Targets3641
Target Share/Game2.63.2
Age2628
Experience4 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Noah Fant holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.4 points per game. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Isaiah Likely or Noah Fant in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Fant 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 Isaiah Likely and Noah Fant average in 2025?

Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Noah Fant averaged 4.4 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Isaiah Likely and Noah Fant's bye weeks in 2026?

Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11, and Noah Fant (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isaiah Likely or Noah Fant a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Noah Fant 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.