Start Isaiah Likely over Jalen Nailor — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Likely’s big-slot path gives him the edge over Nailor

Start Isaiah Likely: the projection gap is tiny, but TE11 versus WR57 reflects a much stronger weekly floor in this comparison. His planned big-slot deployment could add routes beyond his existing usage, especially valuable with a solid Giants scoring expectation and his red-zone mismatch profile (Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) 2026-09-02). Nailor has the better established snap rate and a favorable vertical role, but his thinner target profile makes him more dependent on splash plays; Likely’s risk is that the reported alignment never becomes a consistent route-volume change.

What flips it: Malik Nabers is confirmed fully ready, removing the receiver shortage that supports Likely’s expanded role.

Sources: Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) · Sep 2, 2026

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

TE11NYGvs DAL

5.77.69.5 Projected Points

Toss-Up· low

Jalen Nailor

WR57LVvs MIA

6.17.69.1 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Isaiah Likely

Toss-Up· low

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

TE11 consensus at 9.5 projected points clears the streaming line, and the big-slot deployment plan adds route volume beyond his 14% target share.

Big-slot usage can turn a thin tight-end role into steadier route volume if New York needs receiver help.
His red-zone flexibility gives the Giants more ways to convert drives into fantasy points.

The call

A TE11 consensus rank with 9.5 projected PPR points is a starter by definition in a 12-team league — the typical replacement TE is projected well below that.
Role is trending up: reports have him used as a 'big slot receiver' to cover a thin wideout group, which should push his 59% snap share and 14% target share higher.
The caution is the modest 23.5 implied team total and a near pick-em 1.5 spread — no shootout script, so this is a floor play rather than a ceiling swing.
If a healthy full-strength receiver room reclaims the slot work, he slides back to a low-volume TE and becomes a bench body.

Latest on Likely

Scheme

With only five wide receivers on the projected depth chart, the Giants plan to deploy tight end Isaiah Likely as a 'big slot receiver' to offset a possible shortage if Malik Nabers isn't fully ready for Week 1.

Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) · Sep 2, 2026

Why Jalen Nailor

Toss-Up

WR2 with speed and separation quickness. Complementary vertical option who works the intermediate levels.

Toss-up — WR57 consensus, projects WR54 this week: 11% target share in 2025, 9.1 PPR projected vs MIA.

Nailor’s speed can beat coverage for a long gain even without heavy target volume.
His stronger snap involvement offers a steadier on-field role than Likely’s current deployment.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Isaiah Likely	Jalen Nailor
Projected points	5.77.69.5	6.17.69.1
Consensus rank	TE11	WR57
Opponent vs position	DALno ranking yet	MIAno ranking yet
Target share	14%(2025)	11%(2025)
Reception share	15%(2025)	10%(2025)
Implied total · spread	23.5+1.5	22.3-3.0
Depth chart	TE1	WR2
Snap share	59%(2025)	65%(2025)
Start/Sit record	0–0+1 toss-up	—