The New York Giants didn’t hesitate to pay tight end Isaiah Likely like he was one of the NFL’s elite players at his position in free agency, despite the numbers not backing that up through his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh — Likely’s coach with the Ravens — have proven to be deft dealmakers, as Likely has played like a Pro Bowler through the first five games while his team sits alone in first place for the first time since 2015.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox singled out Likely as the Giants’ “Biggest Surprise” heading into Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints.

Likely left the Ravens for a 3-year, $40 million contract on March 9 — the first day of free agency.

“The 26-year-old pass-catcher has become an unexpected star in New York,” Knox wrote on October 17. “It hasn’t been entirely surprising to see Likely perform well for the Giants. He regularly flashed his ability as Baltimore’s No. 2 tight end behind Mark Andrews. However, few expected Likely to become one of the league’s most dangerous tight ends as the Giants’ starter. Likely has played a career-high 70 percent of the offensive snaps this season. He has already caught 33 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns. After five full weeks, he ranks fourth in receiving yards among tight ends, behind only Sam LaPorta, Brock Bowers, and Trey McBride.”