A New York Giants offensive weapon has been named a player primed for a breakout 2026 NFL season.
For the New York Giants to shock the NFL world and make the playoffs next season, their offense has to average more than 22.4 points per game.
The Giants gave QB Jaxson Dart a strong target by signing TE Isaiah Likely this offseason and NFL analyst Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes the former Baltimore Ravens weapon is primed for a breakout 2026 season.
"Likely will have competition for targets if Malik Nabers takes on a full workload after missing 13 games with a torn ACL last season," Moton wrote. "That said, New York didn't re-sign high-volume receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who saw 140 targets in each of the previous two campaigns. Also, new Giants receiver Darnell Mooney has seen more than 72 targets in a season once over the last four years.
"Of course, quarterback Jaxson Dart must develop from the pocket to elevate his pass-catchers, though Likely will be a big 6'4", 241-pound target who's hard to miss in the seams and over the middle."
Likely appeared in 14 games for the Ravens last season. He finished with 27 catches for 307 yards and one touchdown.
The Ravens selected Likely with the 139th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Likely has 135 receptions for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns in the NFL.
New Giants head coach John Harbaugh coached Likely, so don't be surprised if Likely goes off next season in New York.
Harbaugh is regarded as one of the best coaches in NFL history. He went 180-113 in the regular season and 13-11 in the playoffs with the Ravens.
Baltimore, led by Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis, won Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.
The Giants went 4-13 last season. They finished with the worst record in the NFC East. In his rookie season, Dart put up 2,272 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 487 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
The Giants haven't made the playoffs since the 2022 season. It will be fascinating to see if New York can snap that drought next season with Dart, Likely and Harbaugh leading the charge.
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