Many wondered why the New York Giants pounced on Baltimore Ravens backup tight end Isaiah Likely in the early hours of free agency this past March, giving him a three-year, $40 million deal with $26 million guaranteed.
After all, he was a backup to Pro Bowler Mark Andrews and averaged about 33 receptions and 392 yards per season, scoring 15 touchdowns over his four seasons in Baltimore.
When John Harbaugh was hired as head coach of the Giants this January after 18 seasons as the head coach of the Ravens, the first player he brought over with him was Likely. He knew that, given more opportunity, Likely could be a top player at his position.
So far, Harbaugh has been right. Likely is near the top of every major statistical category among tight ends this season.
Isaiah is Likely to be targeted 😅 pic.twitter.com/t7jNKx8oVN
— PFF (@PFF) October 13, 2026
"He's a really unique kind of an athlete," Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday.
He would know, having been in the Ravens' war room when Likely was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Coastal Carolina.
"When he was being evaluated, he went in the fourth round; I think it was late fourth round. Nobody really could get their arms around him. He made all these plays in college, but it just looked different. You see it out here, it turns out it's really good what he does," Harbaugh said.
He's elusive; he can get away in man and zone coverage. He's got a great feel; he's got great hands, he has an amazing catch radius. He's an elusive runner, a good, strong runner. So, all those things that are football. He's also, and this was in college, he was crazy good as a perimeter blocker. He would launch guys through the air, like five yards through the air sometimes at Coastal. He's a really good perimeter blocker here too. He's translated really well, and I think he's been able to really express that here this year. The kind of player he is, and it's just great to see."
Likely is second in receptions (33) and targets (48), and tied for first in touchdowns (4). Only Arizona's Trey McBride has more fantasy points than Likely among tight ends through five games.
He is on pace for over 100 receptions, which would make him elite, just like Harbaugh thought he could be.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' John Harbaugh: Isaiah Likely a 'unique kind of athlete'