Isaiah Likely or Marvin Harrison Jr.: Who Should You Start?

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

Start Likely: his concentrated role outweighs Harrison’s broader snap count

Start Isaiah Likely, whose concentrated target role gives him the stronger path despite a smaller snap footprint. His slot takeover and eight-catch, two-touchdown opener support the idea that the volume is intentional (Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14). Marvin Harrison Jr. has the better every-down presence, but his offense faces a lower scoring expectation and his limited involvement was reinforced by coverage and quick throws elsewhere (ESPN 2026-09-18; SI.com/AZCardinals on SI 2026-09-14). Likely’s risk is that his snap share keeps him touchdown-dependent, while Harrison’s talent and route volume still give him the more explosive fallback.

What flips it: A clear target-route rebound for Harrison or a return of Likely's slot work to Wan'Dale Robinson.

Sources: Yahoo Sports (PFF) · Sep 14, 2026 · ESPN · Sep 18, 2026 · SI.com/AZCardinals on SI · Sep 14, 2026

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Marvin Harrison Jr.

WR30ARIvs SEA

Projected Points

Sit

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 →

Marvin Harrison Jr.’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
+113 / -144
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 33.5
-114 / -117
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+360
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →
SEA@
ARISun, Sep 20, 4:25 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 a 8-of-8, two-TD Week 1 line keep Likely in the TE1 mix; 8.5-point dog script means pass volume.

  • His slot role creates concentrated targets, giving him a sturdier PPR floor than his snap count suggests.
  • An underdog script can keep the Giants throwing even if Likely’s touchdown luck cools.

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.

Why Marvin Harrison Jr.

Sit

WR1 and primary outside receiver. Polished route runner with elite catch-point ability; 2025 production capped by missed games.

Sit — WR30 consensus, projects WR56 this week: SEA is the 10th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 17.3 implied team total caps the ceiling.

  • His every-down outside role gives him more paths to a splash play if Arizona’s offense sustains drives.
  • Elite catch-point ability remains a real ceiling advantage over a part-time tight end role.

Latest on Harrison

Role

In Sunday's game, Marvin Harrison Jr. saw single coverage on about seven of 32 snaps and had one catch on three targets for 33 yards.

Cards' Marvin Harrison Jr. looking for big rebound game vs. SeahawksESPN · Sep 18, 2026

Of Harrison's 33 pass routes charted in Week 1, he was open on only 11, was double-covered on eight of his 22 uncovered routes, and was often bypassed as Brissett got the ball out quickly to other options.

SI.com/AZCardinals on SI · Sep 14, 2026

Head-to-head stats

MetricIsaiah LikelyMarvin Harrison Jr.
Projected points
Consensus rankTE14WR30
Opponent vs positionLAR · 7 of 321-game sampleSEA · 10 of 321-game sample
Receptions9 of 3220 of 32
Receiving Yards9 of 327 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets15 of 3222 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share28%8%
Reception share35%4%
Implied total · spread20.0+8.517.3+10.0
Depth chartTE1WR2
Snap share49%79%
Start/Sit record1–0—

Recent form

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Marvin Harrison Jr. — last 1 week

Week 1vs LAC

Signal breakdown

  • 11.0 vs 9.3 projected PPR pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • Rank 14 vs 30Isaiah Likely +
  • Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 10 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.0 vs 17.3 team pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 49% vs 79% snap shareMarvin Harrison Jr. +

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