Isaiah Likely

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		63	135	1,568	15
2025		14	27	307	1
2024		16	42	477	6
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Giants handed Isaiah Likely a deal that represents a slight overpay, earning a C CVI grade for what amounts to above-average starter money for rotational player production. At $13.3M AAV over three years, New York is paying Likely like a top-10 tight end despite his profile suggesting he's better suited as a complementary piece rather than a featured weapon. The $20.5M in guaranteed money provides reasonable protection for both sides, but the annual value feels elevated given his current production tier — this is the type of contract typically reserved for players who've proven they can be consistent offensive focal points. The three-year structure does give the Giants flexibility to evaluate whether Likely can grow into the role they're paying him for, particularly in an offense that could benefit from more dynamic tight end play. While Likely has shown flashes of potential, this contract banks heavily on upside rather than established performance, making it a gamble that could look either prescient or costly depending on his development over the next two seasons.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Isaiah's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Isaiah Likely is a four-year veteran tight end in his fourth NFL season who has emerged as a reliable pass-catcher for the Giants despite inconsistent volume opportunities. The 26-year-old operates as a secondary receiving option in New York's offense, showcasing above-average efficiency when targeted. Likely's body of work across his career demonstrates more consistent production than his current 2025 season trend suggests. When utilized, Likely produces at an above-average clip—averaging 11.4 yards per reception against the NFL average of 9.19, placing him in the upper tier of tight end efficiency. His 21.9 receiving yards per game ranks above the 10.67 NFL average, indicating he maximizes limited opportunities. However, his touchdown production remains pedestrian at 0.07 per game versus the league average of 0.13, suggesting he struggles in the red zone despite solid intermediate-route execution. Likely's trajectory has softened noticeably this season, dropping from a B-grade performance in 2024 to a C in 2025, reflecting decreased involvement or efficiency in New York's pass game. The decline warrants monitoring heading into the offseason, as sustained underutilization could signal either schematic fit concerns or competitive pressure from other receiving weapons. If the Giants commit to featuring Likely more prominently as a safety-valve option, his per-catch efficiency suggests he can return to his 2024 form as a complementary pass-catcher.

How Isaiah Compares at the Position

Isaiah Likely ranks 28th of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Isaiah between Evan Engram (B) just ahead and Cade Otton (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Isaiah Likely carries a B sentiment grade right now, with the conversation around his Pro Bowl-caliber moments shaping the narrative. The Giants' free agent signing has generated genuinely optimistic coverage—multiple outlets are framing him as the team's most meaningful offensive acquisition, and his decision to follow John Harbaugh from Baltimore carries narrative weight that resonates beyond typical depth-move skepticism. Fantasy football communities have already earmarked him as a sleeper, a signal that the broader football audience recognizes real opportunity in his new landing spot. His 2025 season production of 307 receiving yards across 14 games establishes him as an above-average starter rather than an unproven prospect, which grounds the optimism in proven track record rather than hope. The recent wave of Giants receiver signings—Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Braxton Berrios all joining in early June—has further elevated Likely's profile by positioning him within a newly constructed offensive ecosystem designed to generate volume and efficiency. The media consensus sits exactly where you want it: cautious, grounded in established production, and genuinely excited about his fit alongside quarterback Jaxson Dart, without the overheated hype that typically precedes mid-tier free agent additions.