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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Isaiah Likely vs Jake TongesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Jake Tonges over Isaiah Likely in 2026.

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG in 2025 to Isaiah Likely's 3.4, a 5.1 point per game edge. Tonges posted that edge in only 9 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 8.5 PPG and 293 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Isaiah Likely (3.4 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jake Tonges as the starter and Isaiah Likely as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Isaiah Likely

Jake Tonges

Head to Head

3.4 PPG8.5 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Isaiah Likely: Unranked TE. Jake Tonges: Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Isaiah Likely is producing at 15% of elite pace and Jake Tonges at 39%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isaiah Likely vs Jake Tonges: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Isaiah Likely (New York Giants) finished the 2025 season averaging 3.4 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Jake Tonges (San Francisco 49ers) came in at 8.5 PPG over 9 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Jake Tonges carries a 5.1-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

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 8. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jake Tonges at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Isaiah Likely is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jake Tonges (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jake Tonges outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Tonges saw 46 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 Jake Tonges: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isaiah Likely	Jake Tonges
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.4	8.5
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	48	77
Receptions	27	34
Rec/Game	1.9	3.8
Receiving Yards	307	293
Rec Yds/Game	21.9	32.6
Receiving TDs	1	5
Targets	36	46
Target Share/Game	2.6	5.1
Age	26	27
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jake Tonges holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.5 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 Jake Tonges in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 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 Jake Tonges average in 2025?▾

Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Isaiah Likely and Jake Tonges's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11, and Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isaiah Likely or Jake Tonges a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored Isaiah Likely by 5.1 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.