Drake London or Isaiah Likely: Who Should You Start?

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

London’s every-down role edges out Likely’s explosive but less settled usage

Drake London gets the nod because his every-down WR1 role is sturdier than Isaiah Likely’s exciting but still partial-package usage. London’s projection edge is narrow but more meaningful at wide receiver: his near-full-time role, primary-target status and stronger Falcons scoring environment provide a safer path, while Likely’s slot takeover creates genuine upside [Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14]. The risk is London’s middling one-game matchup sample and modest recent output; Likely can win if the Giants trail and repeat his red-zone efficiency.

What flips it: A confirmed expansion of Likely’s every-down role.

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

AI editor

Drake London

Drake London

WR7ATLvs CAR

Projected Points

Start
Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium

Drake London’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-121 / -105
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 54.5
-115 / -115
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+170
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Isaiah Likely’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-108 / -118
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 45.5
-112 / -112
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+275
Anytime Touchdown Props →
CAR@
ATLSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →

Why Drake London

Start

WR1 and primary target. Big-bodied X receiver who wins contested catches at the catch point with elite ball skills.

Start — every-week WR start at consensus WR7: 21% target share, 12.8 PPR projected vs CAR.

  • WR1 status gives London a steadier route and volume floor than the raw target-share comparison suggests.
  • His contested-catch profile offers a path to value even if Carolina limits easy completions.

Latest on London

Fantasy buzz: Pats' Stevenson rises with Henderson out, Cards list Love as RB2

TreVeyon Henderson won't suit up on Wednesday, leaving most of the backfield work for Rhamondre Stevenson.

ESPN · Sep 9, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Isaiah Likely

Start· medium

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

28% target share and a 8-of-8, two-TD Week 1 line keep Likely in the TE1 mix; 8.5-point dog script means pass volume.

  • Likely’s expanded slot role gives him receiver-like upside despite a lower listed snap role.
  • His Week 1 efficiency makes him the more dangerous option if New York is forced into a pass-heavy comeback.

The call

  • Week 1 usage is the whole case: a 28% target share with all eight targets caught for two scores, plus 17 slot snaps taken over from another starter, is TE1-level involvement no matter the 49% snap rate.
  • The 8.5-point spread and 20.0 implied total point to a chase script — more dropbacks, more underneath and seam work for the guy who is now the de facto slot option.
  • The DvP composite reads 7 of 32 (tough), but it's a one-game sample at 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't outweigh a locked-in target role.
  • Risk is the sub-50% snap share: if the offense stays in heavier personnel or the game hangs close, volume could dip toward the TE14 projection rather than beat it.

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

MetricDrake LondonIsaiah Likely
Projected points
Consensus rankWR7TE14
Opponent vs positionCAR · 21 of 321-game sampleLAR · 7 of 321-game sample
Receptions31 of 329 of 32
Receiving Yards28 of 329 of 32
Receiving TDs13 of 321 of 32
Targets19 of 3215 of 32
Anytime TD13 of 321 of 32
Target share21%28%
Reception share17%35%
Implied total · spread23.0-1.520.0+8.5
Depth chartWR1TE1
Snap share98%49%
Start/Sit record—1–0

Recent form

Drake London — last 1 week

Week 1vs PIT

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Signal breakdown

  • 12.8 vs 11.0 projected PPR pointsDrake London +
  • Rank 7 vs 14Drake London +
  • Opponent DvP rank 21 vs 7 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 23.0 vs 20.0 team pointsDrake London +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 98% vs 49% snap shareDrake London +

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