Isaiah Likely

Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
On a team devoid of a true number three option behind Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely showed out big time in Week 1 (9-111-1). Since then, he's returned to a second-fiddle tight end, accruing four targets and 30 yards, pretty similar numbers to the equally disappointing Mark Andrews. There's obviously upside here but he can remain a fringe TE1/2 in fantasy terms.

Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
On a team devoid of a true number two option behind Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely showed out big time in Week 1. We can't expect another 12-target game here, but we can certainly ride this wave and consider Likely a top-12 option. He may not find as much success without a Chiefs defense putting the clamps on Andrews, but he's certainly a far better option than a lot of the tight ends currently sitting on waiver wires or benches.

Week 16 at San Francisco 49ers

Isaiah Likely caught five of his six targets last week against the Jaguars, gaining 70 yards and a touchdown. It was his second straight game with a touchdown, and he tied for the most targets on the team. You can’t replace Mark Andrews, but Likely is sure doing his best impression. Fantasy managers lucky enough to land him on waivers after Andrews’ injury should feel confident about him for the rest of the fantasy season.

This week, Likely faces a San Francisco defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He’s starting to become matchup-proof, however, given the targets he’s getting and the athleticism he’s shown at the position. Continue to start Likely in what should be the game of the week.