Isaiah Likely Could Top 1,000 Yards and Nobody in the League Is Talking About It

Alright, Emerald City! We're always scouting for that next big thing, even if it ain't rocking the green and blue on Lumen Field. And lemme tell you, there's a name screaming breakout potential: Isaiah Likely. Heath Cummings just dropped his updated Dynasty Tight End Tiers, and Likely is standing all by himself in Tier 3. We're talking about a dude who, if things click, could rack up over 1,000 receiving yards in 2026! Solo tier, massive upside, everyone's still squabbling over the top two. Wild.

Isaiah Likely: The Solo Tier Superstar

So, what's making Likely such a unique beast in this fantasy jungle? It starts with a smart offseason move: he inked a three-year deal with the Giants. He's still got that connection to Head Coach John Harbaugh, but he's finally freed up from Mark Andrews' shadow. We've seen what this guy can do as the main target. Over the past three seasons, when Andrews was off the field, Likely played 866 snaps. He dominated, pulling in a 20.9% target share and averaging 9.24 yards per target. If he matches those numbers, we're talking a potential 1,000-yard season for 2026. This is based on proven production!

And get this: it's not just about Andrews being gone. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy runs that classic Andy Reid offense. For the last three seasons, that scheme consistently funneled a huge 29.4% target share to tight ends. Think about that! With Malik Nabers still rehabbing an injury, Likely could step in as the number one target early in the season, with an excellent shot to finish top two on that team in targets. He just hit 26 years old, so if he pops early, his value will explode. We could easily see him jump into Tier 2 before the season is over. This is the kind of situation dynasty managers dream about.

Beyond Likely: Keep Your Eyes Peeled

While Likely is the clear standout in Tier 3, Heath's tiers still give us other names to chew on. Tier 1 and 2 have their mainstays: Brock Bowers, Colston Loveland, Trey McBride, Tyler Warren, Sam LaPorta, Tucker Kraft, Kyle Pitts, and Harold Fannin. After Likely, it gets a bit dicey, with few guaranteed starters beyond 2026.

That said, there's one more guy in Tier 4 with serious breakout potential for 2026: Dalton Kincaid. This dude had a career year on a per-route basis. The problem? He can't stay healthy enough for full snaps. But he's healthy right now! If he can stay on the field, we could finally see him deliver on that upside. Last year, Kincaid led all tight ends with an average of 2.83 yards per route run, despite only running 202 routes and finishing 48th. Right behind him, Greg Dulcich also showed flashes, averaging 2.39 YPRR on just 141 targets. Dulcich is a deep sleeper, since the Dolphins have little target competition. He might even be on your waiver wire in Dynasty leagues. If so, snag him!

So, there you have it. The 2026 season is coming, and the early returns on Isaiah Likely's potential are screaming. Keep this name at the top of your draft boards, or be ready to make moves. This isn't just a tier, it's a statement. If Likely lives up to it, you'll be celebrating all season long. Go get 'em!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.