Isaiah Likely or Michael Pittman Jr.: Who Should You Start?

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

Start Likely: His expanded role gives him the better edge over Pittman

Start Isaiah Likely because his pass-catching role is more consequential than the raw projection gap suggests: he led the Giants' pass-catchers in Week 1 and absorbed slot work, per Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14. His TE14 consensus standing gives that breakout more support than Pittman's WR32 market, while Pittman's 88% snap share is the real counterweight; the identical projections make this a narrow edge, not a runaway. The risk is Likely's part-time playing time repeating, while Pittman's questionable tag and limited target involvement make his apparently safer role less bankable.

What flips it: A confirmed restoration of Wan'Dale Robinson's slot role.

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

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium
Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr.

WR32PITvs NE

Projected Points

Toss-Up

Isaiah Likely’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-115 / -111
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 44.5
-114 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+270
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Michael Pittman Jr.’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-131 / +103
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 32.5
-114 / -117
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+475
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →
PIT@
NESun, Sep 20, 1:00 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 8-for-8, two-TD Week 1 make Likely a TE1 play; 11.5 projected at TE14 clears the bar even in a 20-point implied total.

  • Slot deployment gives Likely a second route to production beyond traditional tight-end alignment.
  • His red-zone athleticism makes the Giants' scoring chances especially valuable for his profile.

The call

  • Usage is the case: a 28% target share plus the 17 slot snaps he took over means he's the primary target in this passing game, not a situational tight end.
  • Week 1 receipts back it up — all eight targets caught for two touchdowns and an 82.8 PFF grade, the best mark among the pass-catchers.
  • The matchup grades tough (7 of 32 vs TEs) but that's a one-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't outweigh a locked-in target role.
  • Real risk is the environment: a 20.0 implied total with an 8.5-point spread and only a 49% snap share cap the ceiling if the offense stalls.

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 Michael Pittman Jr.

Toss-Up

WR2 and high-volume possession target. Big-bodied contested-catch winner over the middle and in the red zone.

Toss-up — WR32 consensus, projects WR33 this week: 8% target share, Questionable on the latest report.

  • Pittman's near-every-down role offers the steadier access to routes if his hamstring holds up.
  • His size and contested-catch strength preserve a touchdown path even with modest target volume.

Latest on Pittman

Status

Pittman (hamstring) did not appear on the Steelers' first Week 1 injury report and was cleared to play against the Falcons after missing significant camp and preseason time.

ESPN · Sep 11, 2026

Head-to-head stats

MetricIsaiah LikelyMichael Pittman Jr.
Projected points
Consensus rankTE14WR32
Opponent vs positionLAR · 7 of 321-game sampleNE · 15 of 321-game sample
Receptions9 of 3215 of 32
Receiving Yards9 of 3221 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 3213 of 32
Targets15 of 3215 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 3213 of 32
Target share28%8%
Reception share35%13%
Implied total · spread20.0+8.519.5+4.5
Depth chartTE1WR2
Snap share49%88%
Injury designation—Questionable
Start/Sit record1–00–1

Recent form

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Michael Pittman Jr. — last 1 week

Week 1vs ATL

Signal breakdown

  • 11.5 vs 11.5 projected PPR pointsMichael Pittman Jr. +
  • Rank 14 vs 32Isaiah Likely +
  • Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 15 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.0 vs 19.5 team pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • no designation vs QuestionableIsaiah Likely +
  • 49% vs 88% snap shareMichael Pittman Jr. +

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