Isaiah Likely or Terry McLaurin: Who Should You Start?

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

McLaurin’s volume edge survives Likely’s explosive slot debut

McLaurin gets the call, but only narrowly: his every-down WR1 deployment gives him a sturdier floor than Likely’s explosive, still-part-time role. Likely’s eight-catch, two-touchdown opener and 28% target share are real reasons to start him—Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14 documents his slot takeover—but the Giants’ underdog script and limited snaps leave more paths to a disappearing workload. McLaurin’s risk is clear: his modest target share and quiet opener make the rebound assumption do much of the work.

What flips it: A confirmed full-time slot role for Likely or any pregame limitation for McLaurin.

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

AI editor

Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium
Terry McLaurin

Terry McLaurin

WR22WSHvs DAL

Projected Points

Start

Isaiah Likely’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-103 / -124
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 45.5
-112 / -112
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+275
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Terry McLaurin’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+112 / -143
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 53.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+200
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →
WSH@
DALSun, 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.

  • Likely’s slot usage gives him a receiver-like ceiling, not merely a tight-end matchup advantage.
  • His red-zone mismatch makes each Giants scoring chance especially valuable.

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 Terry McLaurin

Start

WR1 and offensive centerpiece. Explosive vertical route-runner with elite release package; missed time in 2025.

Start — WR22 by consensus and projection: DAL is the 8th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 14% target share.

  • McLaurin’s WR1 status keeps him involved even if Dallas takes away the deep ball.
  • His sturdier deployment offsets the concern that Washington’s rebound has not yet shown up in production.

Latest on McLaurin

Why Commanders are believing in a Jayden Daniels rebound

Washington offensive coordinator David Blough said Daniels has had his best NFL camp so far.

ESPN · Sep 12, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricIsaiah LikelyTerry McLaurin
Projected points
Consensus rankTE14WR22
Opponent vs positionLAR · 7 of 321-game sampleDAL · 8 of 321-game sample
Receptions9 of 3212 of 32
Receiving Yards9 of 3213 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets15 of 3211 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share28%14%
Reception share35%11%
Implied total · spread20.0+8.523.5+4.5
Depth chartTE1WR1
Snap share49%87%
Start/Sit record1–0—

Recent form

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Terry McLaurin — last 1 week

Week 1vs PHI

Signal breakdown

  • 11.0 vs 12.4 projected PPR pointsTerry McLaurin +
  • Rank 14 vs 22Isaiah Likely +
  • Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 8 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.0 vs 23.5 team pointsTerry McLaurin +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 49% vs 87% snap shareTerry McLaurin +

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