The New York Giants said goodbye to Daniel Bellinger and hello to Isaiah Likely at tight end this offseason. Will they be better or worse at the position after that move. Let’s take a look.
Key additions: Isaiah Likely
Key losses: Daniel Bellinger
Roster: Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone, Tanner Conner
Why they could be better
Isaiah Likely.
The former Baltimore Raven joins the Giants this season, and should become the team’s TE1. He had better with a thre-year, $40 million contract that includes $20.5 million guaranteed.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound fifth-year player was blocked from being the primary tight end in Baltimore by Mark Andrews, and the best year of his career was a 42-catch 2024 season. Theo Johnson shouldn’t block him. In fact, the two might be on the field together often as Likely could spend considerable time as a big slot receiver in Matt Nagy’s offense.
Likely is a more reliable target than Johnson. Likely has three drops in 94 targets over the past two seasons, a 3.2% drop rate. In his two NFL seasons, Johnson has dropped 8.5% of his passes. Likely’s career passer rating when targeted of 117.4 drawfs Johnson’s 91.8.
Of course, we have to acknowledge that Likely has spent much of his career with Lamar Jackson throwing him the ball. Still, the numbers are what they are.
Bottom line is that a Likely-Johnson duo is probably more dynamic than a Johnson-Daniel Bellinger duo.
Why they could be worse
Bellinger was always reliable, and often under-utilized. Maybe Likely just can’t take the step forward that John Harbaugh expects, and the Giants end up missing Bellinger’s steadiness.
The verdict
They are better. How much Likely’s production rises from his Baltimore days, and whether Johnson can become more consistent, are valid questions. Still, Likely has a higher upside than Bellinger and should be an excellent target for Jaxson Dart.
Chris Manhertz remains a quality blocker. Whether there is a role for Thomas Fidone remains to be seen.
