Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Isaiah Likely vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Higbee is the better play on a neutral week. 6.5 PPG with 281 yards gives a reliable baseline. Isaiah Likely at 3.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tyler Higbee higher, but do not fade Isaiah Likely entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Isaiah Likely

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

3.4 PPG6.5 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Isaiah Likely is producing at 15% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Tyler Higbee carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isaiah Likely vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Isaiah Likely and Tyler Higbee is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New York Giants tight end put up 3.4 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 6.5 in 9. A 3.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.1 points favors Tyler Higbee, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Isaiah Likely had 27 catches for 307 yards; Tyler Higbee posted 25 for 281. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Tyler Higbee 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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Higbee outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Higbee scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Tyler Higbee saw 36 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Isaiah Likely is 7 years younger than Tyler Higbee (26 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Isaiah Likely vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isaiah Likely	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.4	6.5
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	48	59
Receptions	27	25
Rec/Game	1.9	2.8
Receiving Yards	307	281
Rec Yds/Game	21.9	31.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	36	36
Target Share/Game	2.6	4.0
Age	26	33
Experience	4 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

6.5 PPG for Tyler Higbee versus 3.4 for Isaiah Likely in 2025. The baseline favors Tyler Higbee, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Isaiah Likely or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 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 Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

Do Isaiah Likely and Tyler Higbee share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Isaiah Likely and Tyler Higbee share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Isaiah Likely or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Isaiah Likely by 3.1 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.