DK Metcalf or Isaiah Likely: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Likely’s slot role gives him the edge over Metcalf

Start Isaiah Likely: his new slot-heavy role gives a modest projection edge extra weight at tight end, where dependable volume is harder to find. Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14 reports that Likely took over much of the slot work and caught all eight targets, making his strong target share more credible despite a part-time snap rate. Metcalf has the sturdier every-down role and the better pure deep-ball profile, but Pittsburgh’s lower scoring expectation and a middling Patriots matchup leave him with less margin; this is a close call, not a comfortable one.

What flips it: Likely’s slot usage fading back toward a traditional tight end role.

Sources: Yahoo Sports (PFF) · Sep 14, 2026

AI editor

DK Metcalf

DK Metcalf

WR32PITvs NE

Projected Points

Toss-Up
Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium

DK Metcalf’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-178 / +132
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 54.5
-114 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+245
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Isaiah Likely’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-119 / -107
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 45.5
-113 / -111
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+260
Anytime Touchdown Props →
PIT@
NESun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →

Why DK Metcalf

Toss-Up

WR1 and primary vertical threat. Rare size-speed combination, dominant on go balls and back-shoulder throws.

Toss-up — WR32 consensus, projects WR35 this week: 27% target share, 11.2 PPR projected vs NE.

  • Metcalf’s every-down role protects him from disappearing, and one successful deep shot can erase this narrow gap.

Why Isaiah Likely

Start· medium

Starting TE and pass-catching mismatch. Athletic seam-stretcher with red-zone flex ability.

28% target share and an 8-for-8, two-TD Week 1 in the slot make Likely a TE14 with real upside; the 8.5-point dog script only adds volume.

  • Likely’s slot takeover creates a path to receiver-like volume from a tight end alignment, boosting his weekly ceiling.

The call

  • Usage is the case: a 28% target share plus 17 slot snaps — work previously held by Wan'Dale Robinson — means Likely is a primary target in this passing game, not a rotational TE.
  • Week 1 was emphatic: all eight targets caught for two touchdowns and an 82.8 PFF grade, the best mark among Giants pass-catchers.
  • The Rams grade as a top-10 defense vs. tight ends, but that composite is a one-game sample with 0.00 confidence — not enough to bench a 28%-target TE.
  • Risk is the 20.0 implied total and a 49% snap share; the 8.5-point spread cuts the other way, since trailing means more dropbacks and more Likely targets.

Latest on Likely

Role

Likely led the Giants' Week 1 pass-catchers with an 82.8 PFF grade, catching all eight targets for two touchdowns and taking over much of the slot receiver role (17 slot snaps) previously held by Wan'Dale Robinson.

Yahoo Sports (PFF) · Sep 14, 2026
Isaiah Likely's Week 2 preview
VideoESPN · Sep 16, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDK MetcalfIsaiah Likely
Projected points
Consensus rankWR32TE14
Opponent vs positionNE · 15 of 321-game sampleLAR · 7 of 321-game sample
Receptions15 of 329 of 32
Receiving Yards21 of 329 of 32
Receiving TDs13 of 321 of 32
Targets15 of 3215 of 32
Anytime TD13 of 321 of 32
Target share27%28%
Reception share17%35%
Implied total · spread19.5+4.520.0+8.5
Depth chartWR1TE1
Snap share96%49%
Start/Sit record0–11–0

Recent form

DK Metcalf — last 1 week

Week 1vs ATL

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Signal breakdown

  • 11.2 vs 11.6 projected PPR pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • Rank 32 vs 14Isaiah Likely +
  • Opponent DvP rank 15 vs 7 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 19.5 vs 20.0 team pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 96% vs 49% snap shareDK Metcalf +

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