Start Isaiah Likely over Jordan Mason — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Likely gets the edge from a clearer receiving path, but Mason keeps the call narrow

Start Isaiah Likely: the projected big-slot deployment gives him a more credible route-volume path than Jordan Mason’s near-even backfield split, per Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) 2026-09-02. This remains close because Likely is a floor play rather than a difference-maker, while Mason can win with early-down and short-yardage work. Likely’s stronger positional standing and team environment provide the edge, but his role still carries volatility if the Giants’ receiver room is healthier than expected.

What flips it: Malik Nabers being cleared for a full role before kickoff.

Sources: Sports Illustrated (Giants On SI) · Sep 2, 2026 · Yahoo Sports · Aug 31, 2026 · Yahoo Sports · Aug 30, 2026

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

TE12NYGvs DAL

5.67.59.4 Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium

Jordan Mason

RB40MINvs GB

7.98.38.7 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Isaiah Likely

Toss-Up· medium

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

TE12 at 9.4 projected is the literal last starting TE slot — 59% snaps and a 14% target share make him a floor play, not a difference-maker.

The big-slot plan could create steadier route access than Likely’s normal tight-end deployment.
His risk is role volatility if New York no longer needs him to offset a thin receiver group.

The call

Consensus has him TE12 at 9.4 PPR points, which is exactly the 12-team starter cutoff: fine if your alternative is a waiver dart, benchable if you have a locked-in top-10 option.
Role is real but not dominant — 59% snap share and a 14% target share over 11 games means he's on the field for most passing downs without commanding a true focal-point workload.
The DvP composite of 10 of 32 grades this as a tougher-than-average draw, but with a 0-game sample and 0.00 confidence there's nothing to actually lean on either way.
Game script is neutral-to-helpful: a 1.5-point spread and a 23.5 implied team total point to a competitive game with enough volume to reach his projection, which is what tips him in if he's your best available body.

Latest on Likely

Verified

SchemeWith 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 Jordan Mason

Toss-Up

RB2 in near-even split. Physical downhill runner with contact balance and short-yardage value.

Toss-up — RB40 by consensus and projection: 4% target share in 2025, 8.7 PPR projected vs GB.

Mason’s downhill style gives him a credible touchdown path even with limited receiving work.
Jones’ age and injury history create upside if Mason’s 1b role expands, per Yahoo Sports 2026-08-31.

Latest on Mason

Verified

RoleJordan Mason is projected as a 1a/1b co-lead back with Aaron Jones Sr. after the 53-man roster was set, with rookie Demond Claiborne also surviving cuts behind them.Yahoo Sports · Aug 31, 2026

RoleJordan Mason is listed as 1b alongside Aaron Jones Sr. at running back, and is expected to see slightly more first- and second-down snaps than Jones due to Jones' age and injury history.Yahoo Sports · Aug 30, 2026

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Isaiah Likely	Jordan Mason
Projected points	5.67.59.4	7.98.38.7
Consensus rank	TE12	RB40
Opponent vs position	DAL · 10 of 320-game sample	GB · 17 of 320-game sample
Receptions	16 of 32	20 of 32
Receiving Yards	16 of 32	8 of 32
Receiving TDs	6 of 32	—
Targets	9 of 32	—
Anytime TD	5 of 32	9 of 32
Rushing Yards	—	21 of 32
Rushing TDs	—	19 of 32
Rushing Attempts	—	27 of 32
Target share	14%(2025)	4%(2025)
Reception share	15%(2025)	5%(2025)
Implied total · spread	23.5+1.5	21.5+1.5
Depth chart	TE1	RB2
Snap share	59%(2025)	43%(2025)
Start/Sit record	0–0+1 toss-up	—