Isaiah Likely or Ladd McConkey: Who Should You Start?

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

Likely’s slot takeover offsets McConkey’s stronger scoring environment

Likely’s move into a larger slot role gives his tight-end profile unusual route and touchdown upside, while his clean availability is a meaningful edge. McConkey remains the more attractive talent in the better offensive environment, but his rib injury is the call’s central risk; Yahoo Sports/USA Today 2026-09-14 says his status is still up in the air. With both carrying similar current roles, Likely’s matchup and availability offset McConkey’s higher-volume ceiling, making this a genuinely level choice.

What flips it: McConkey being cleared without a meaningful rib limitation.

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

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium
Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey

WR19LACvs LV

Projected Points

Start

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 →

Ladd McConkey’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+175
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →
LV@
LACSun, Sep 20, 4:05 PM ETView the game →

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 expands his route tree beyond a typical TE14 profile. [Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14]
  • His clean availability matters more here because McConkey’s rib status remains unresolved.

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.

Why Ladd McConkey

Start

WR1 and primary target. Elite separator from the slot or outside with precise route running.

Start — every-week WR start at consensus WR19: LV is the 11th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 25.5 implied team total.

  • McConkey’s WR1 role gives him the stronger path to sustained volume if he is cleared. [Bio]
  • The Chargers’ scoring environment raises his ceiling, especially if the ribs do not limit him.

Latest on McConkey

Status

McConkey is set to be monitored during the week and is "up in the air" to play Week 2 against the Raiders after undergoing testing to determine the rib injury's severity.

Yahoo Sports/USA Today · Sep 14, 2026
Status

McConkey suffered a rib injury (initially described as a chest injury) after a big hit against Arizona in Week 1 and was ruled day-to-day by Harbaugh, with his Week 2 status against the Raiders unresolved as of Monday.

ESPN · Sep 14, 2026
5 Takeaways: Jim Harbaugh Provides Ladd McConkey Injury Update, Turns Page to Week 2

The Chargers wide receiver has a rib injury and is considered day-to-day

chargers.com · Sep 14, 2026
Why Ladd McConkey is 'Grateful' to Be Named Chargers Captain For 1st Time

The Chargers wide receiver was among 10 captains announced on Tuesday

chargers.com · Sep 2, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricIsaiah LikelyLadd McConkey
Projected points
Consensus rankTE14WR19
Opponent vs positionLAR · 7 of 321-game sampleLV · 11 of 321-game sample
Receptions9 of 328 of 32
Receiving Yards9 of 3223 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets15 of 3222 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share28%26%
Reception share35%29%
Implied total · spread20.0+8.525.5-8.5
Depth chartTE1WR1
Snap share49%49%
Injury designation—Questionable
Start/Sit record1–0—

Recent form

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Ladd McConkey — last 1 week

Week 1vs ARI

Signal breakdown

  • 11.6 vs 14.5 projected PPR pointsLadd McConkey +
  • Rank 14 vs 19Isaiah Likely +
  • Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 11 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.0 vs 25.5 team pointsLadd McConkey +
  • no designation vs QuestionableIsaiah Likely +
  • 49% vs 49% snap shareeven

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