NFL free agency grades: Experts wildly split on Giants TE Isaiah Likely

[ASFN Admin]

The first day of the NFL's "legal tampering period" is in the books, and early reactions are already pouring in.

The New York Giants made one of their most notable moves by agreeing to terms with tight end Isaiah Likely, adding another weapon to their offense and reuniting him with head coach John Harbaugh.

With the initial wave of free-agency deals complete, analysts and outlets across the league have begun handing out grades.

Here’s a roundup of how experts evaluated the Giants' addition of Likely.

The Athletic: B​

The Ravens allowed Likely to depart after extending Mark Andrews, and they just might have parted with the younger, more effective tight end. John Harbaugh pounced, bringing the fifth-year pro to New York with him, hoping that Likely can build on the potential that he has displayed while averaging 11.6 yards per reception and 15 touchdown catches while serving as the No. 2 tight end in Baltimore.

CBS Sports: C+​

I waffled between a B- and a C+ here. I ultimately ended up with the latter. Isaiah Likely's highlights are as good as it gets: a big, rangy, speedy downfield tight end. But he can disappear for stretches, and for all the good moments, he has never had more than 42 catches or 477 yards in a season. Big-money free agent tight end signees have historically disappointed, too. Likely has the talent to be an exception. Will he put it all together?

ESPN: B+​

Likely showed flashes of ability upon entering the league that made people believe in his impending ascendence. Four years in, it still hasn't happened. Likely is coming off a season in which he recorded 27 receptions for 307 yards over 14 games. Among tight ends with at least 200 routes run, his yards per route run ranked in the 37th percentile and his 16% target rate was in the eighth percentile.

His numbers in ESPN's receiver scores are a little more encouraging: Likely posted an above-average 58 open score, which suggests the low target rate isn't a pure indictment of his ability to get open. And he was likely hampered by the foot injury that cost him the first three games of last season.

He also was better in 2024 -- 1.8 yards per route run (78th percentile) along with a 64 open score. That gives me more confidence in him going forward. Still, optimism about Likely requires some belief beyond the box score that he'll ascend, which can happen -- tight ends often bloom late. And the contract reflects the uncertainty here in a way that I think makes sense.

Likely should become the Giants' starter and be an upgrade over incumbent Theo Johnson, who recorded the worst overall score among tight ends in ESPN's receiver scores and led tight ends with a 9.5% drop rate.

Pro Football Focus: Above average​

Likely stays with John Harbaugh, who became the Giants‘ head coach after his time in Baltimore ended in January. Likely could have commanded an even bigger deal if not for a down year after an injury, but he has averaged at least 1.29 yards per route run in each of his four NFL seasons.

Walter Football: MILLEN grade​

Ladies and gentlemen, our first Millen grade of free agency.

When I first saw this signing, I said, “$40 million? You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I can’t believe Isaiah Likely signed for this much money. He’s had some great games in his young career, but he’s also done a whole lot of nothing as well. The fact that he couldn’t be a consistent producer means that he’s not an elite tight end, and any time a team spends big bucks on a non-elite tight end, they always regret it. Always.

Besides, this wasn’t even a need. Theo Johnson is a quality tight end with lots of promise. There was no reason to block his production like this with a mega overpay.

FOX Sports: A-​

With WR Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL and Wan’Dale Robinson headed to free agency, the Giants needed weapons for QB Jaxson Dart.

Likely, a 6-foot-4, 245-pounder, has plenty of untapped potential, and no one knows that better than new Giants coach John Harbaugh. Likely’s production was always capped in Baltimore, mostly because of the prominence of Ravens TE Mark Andrews. But in limited opportunities, Likely always showed he had reliable hands and could stretch the field.

He might have to split the job with TE Theo Johnson. Likely also could see time as a "big slot receiver." Either way, he didn’t cost a ton (three years, $40 million) and he quickly emerges as Dart’s No. 2 target.

Bleacher Report: B-​

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh will be looking to build his offense around second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. He's bringing in a familiar face to help with that process in former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.

Likely's new $40 million deal is a hefty contract for a player who has spent most of his career playing the TE2 role behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore. However, Likely is turning only 26 in April and has tremendous upside.

Likely is a fast and athletic pass-catcher who should quickly become one of Dart's go-to targets and one of New York's biggest downfield threats. The Coastal Carolina product has averaged 11.6 yards per catch during his four-year NFL career.

Yahoo! Sports: B​

Likely will be the new strong receiving complement to Theo Johnson with Daniel Bellinger gone, following John Harbaugh to help Jaxson Dart.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL free agency grades: Experts wildly split on Giants TE Isaiah Likely

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