Week 9 · Tight end watch
How Likely Is a Must-Start?
Isaiah Likely is drawing starter volume with the Giants. Two Thursday tight ends put that Sunday lineup decision on the clock.
By Dub · November 3, 2026
Start Isaiah Likely if he’s active. He’s TE8 in our Week 9 PPR rankings at 12.1 points. I’d wait for him at Philadelphia if I have a Sunday backup. If Thursday is my only chance to lock in a starter, I’d take Brenton Strange over Mark Andrews.
The catches are the case
In seven games with New York, Likely has nearly matched his previous career high of 42 catches. He’s caught at least five passes in five of those games. Even if you strip away the touchdowns, those catches and yards are worth 11.5 PPR points per game. That’s the part of his breakout I’d trust most. Giants game log and career stats
Houston held him to two catches for 12 yards before the bye. That was his second game with just two catches this season. The role puts him in my weekly starting group, but I’d still take an elite tight end over him. Sunday at Philadelphia is a chance to see whether the volume returns. Giants schedule
The Week 9 decision board
Three tight ends. Two lineup deadlines.
FF full-PPR projections as of Nov. 3, ordered by projected points.
What changes at Thursday lock?
Strange is the pivot. Jacksonville’s tight end is 2.1 projected points behind Likely, close enough that I’d take Strange if waiting leaves me without a playable Sunday backup. Andrews is third here. With rookie Joe Fagnano in line to start for Baltimore, I want to see how the targets are distributed before counting on Andrews. Read our Fagnano profile