Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

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

Noah Gray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.6 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Noah Gray is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Noah Gray edges Isaiah Likely by 1.2 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 Gray 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

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEKansas City Chiefs#99PPG LEADER

Noah Gray

PPG

4.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

385

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Isaiah Likely

Noah Gray

Head to Head

3.4 PPG4.6 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Noah Gray: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Isaiah Likely is producing at 15% of elite pace and Noah Gray at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Isaiah Likely vs Noah Gray: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Isaiah Likely finished the 2025 season at 3.4 PPG over 14 games with the New York Giants, while Noah Gray clocked in at 4.6 across 17 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Isaiah Likely had 27 catches for 307 yards; Noah Gray posted 38 for 385. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Isaiah Likely is off Week 11 and Noah Gray Week 6. 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.

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 Gray (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Noah Gray outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Noah Gray played 17 games in 2025 compared to Isaiah Likely's 14. That durability gap means Noah Gray contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Noah Gray scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Noah Gray saw 50 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 Gray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isaiah Likely	Noah Gray
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.4	4.6
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	48	78
Receptions	27	38
Rec/Game	1.9	2.2
Receiving Yards	307	385
Rec Yds/Game	21.9	22.6
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	36	50
Target Share/Game	2.6	2.9
Age	26	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

Noah Gray outscored Isaiah Likely by 1.2 PPG in 2025 (4.6 to 3.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Isaiah Likely or Noah Gray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Gray has the edge at 4.6 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 Gray average in 2025?▾

Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Noah Gray averaged 4.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

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

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

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

Noah Gray outscored Isaiah Likely by 1.2 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.