Isaiah Likely or Travis Etienne Jr.: Who Should You Start?

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

Likely’s slot role balances Etienne’s steadier workload

Likely offers the more unusual ceiling, with his slot deployment giving him a receiver-like path to production. His 28% target share and eight-catch, two-touchdown opener support that upside (Yahoo Sports (PFF) 2026-09-14), but a 49% snap share makes his floor dependent on the passing role. Etienne counters with feature-back usage and dependable receiving work, giving him steadier access to touches (neworleanssaints.com 2026-09-10). The projection gap is noise in PPR: Likely’s explosive role and Etienne’s volume offset, while Likely’s limited snaps are the clearest risk.

What flips it: A confirmed full-time slot role for Likely.

Sources: Yahoo Sports (PFF) · Sep 14, 2026 · neworleanssaints.com · Sep 10, 2026

AI editor

In standard scoring this flips to Etienne.

Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely

TE14NYGvs LAR

Projected Points

Start· medium
Travis Etienne Jr.

Travis Etienne Jr.

RB17NOvs BAL

Projected Points

Toss-Up

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 →

Travis Etienne Jr.’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+100
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →
NO@
BALSun, 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 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.

  • Slot deployment creates a receiver-like ceiling rather than a traditional tight-end-only workload.
  • An expected trailing script could keep Likely involved even if New York struggles to score.

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 Travis Etienne Jr.

Toss-Up

RB1 and feature back. Explosive one-cut runner with home-run speed and dependable passing-game usage.

Toss-up — RB17 consensus, projects RB24 this week: 17% target share, 12.2 PPR projected vs BAL.

  • Feature-back duties give Etienne a steadier touch floor than his middling matchup alone suggests.
  • His passing-game role protects him if the Saints cannot sustain rushing efficiency.

Latest on Etienne

Sunday is feeding day for New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne

"I get a chance to enjoy. I'm gonna be real excited"

neworleanssaints.com · Sep 10, 2026
NFL fantasy outlook for Saints in 2026? Etienne, Johnson, rookie WRs

With Alvin Kamara sidelined, fantasy managers are left to wonder who will pick up the carries for New Orleans.

ESPN · Sep 7, 2026
Morning Break: Bryce Lance steps up, Travis Etienne Jr. earns praise ahead of Week 1

A collection of headlines and news about the Saints and the NFL for Friday, September 4

neworleanssaints.com · Sep 4, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricIsaiah LikelyTravis Etienne Jr.
Projected points
Consensus rankTE14RB17
Opponent vs positionLAR · 7 of 321-game sampleBAL · 17 of 321-game sample
Receptions9 of 3212 of 32
Receiving Yards9 of 3213 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 32—
Targets15 of 32—
Anytime TD1 of 3222 of 32
Rushing Yards—17 of 32
Rushing TDs—27 of 32
Rushing Attempts—11 of 32
Target share28%17%
Reception share35%20%
Implied total · spread20.0+8.519.5+7.5
Depth chartTE1RB1
Snap share49%59%
Start/Sit record1–01–0

Recent form

Isaiah Likely — last 1 week

Week 1vs DAL

Travis Etienne Jr. — last 1 week

Week 1vs DET

Signal breakdown

  • 11.6 vs 12.2 projected PPR pointsTravis Etienne Jr. +
  • Rank 14 vs 17Isaiah Likely +
  • Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 17 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.0 vs 19.5 team pointsIsaiah Likely +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 49% vs 59% snap shareTravis Etienne Jr. +

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