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Footballguys fantasy football takes on Sam LaPorta
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Footballguys about Sam LaPorta.
48
Insights
36
Positive
7
Negative
Insight ledger
All Footballguys insights about Sam LaPorta
PositiveValueOct 24, 2026
Sam LaPorta is one of the preferred ways to get exposure to the Lions game instead of rostering Goff. The source's simulation would rather get exposure to the Lions through Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta.PositiveProjectionOct 22, 2026
Ranked in the HIGH FLOOR TE1 tier for Week 7 matchup vs GB; positioned as a reliable starting option with consistent floor.PositiveProjectionOct 20, 2026
Identified as a Four Stars receiver in the Vegas Value Chart for Week 7, indicating strong DFS appeal based on Vegas odds analysis and game scripting.PositiveMatchupOct 20, 2026
Sam LaPorta remains central to Detroit's offense in Week 7 against Green Bay in a game with the week's highest total at 53.5 points and a manageable 3-point spread, positioning him as a core lineup play.PositiveValueOct 17, 2026
Knotts features Sam LaPorta as a tight end in his primary cash game lineup at $4,900 for Week 6 DraftKings contests, using him as a flex option.PositiveValueOct 10, 2026
Could become an elite value play if Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are both unavailable as game-time decisions; positioned at $4,900 salary.PositiveMatchupOct 8, 2026
LaPorta erupted against Buffalo with 6 catches for 52 yards and 1 touchdown, demonstrating the Bills' vulnerability to tight ends in the slot. This precedent suggests Rams tight ends could find success in Week 5.PositiveMatchupOct 7, 2026
LaPorta has one of the best matchups on the slate at tight end against Arizona's defense, which has allowed the sixth-most points to quarterbacks, receivers, and tight ends.PositiveMatchupOct 6, 2026
Listed as a Three Stars receiver pick in the Vegas Value Chart for Week 5, indicating the Lions game is among the most appealing matchups for DFS based on Vegas odds and projected game script.PositiveMatchupOct 6, 2026
Sam LaPorta is a lineup lock in Week 5 against Arizona; Detroit is favored by 4.5 with a 54.5-point total, and Arizona has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends, creating an elite matchup for the Lions' tight end.NegativeProjectionOct 4, 2026
LaPorta has not yet broken out and has lost luster since 2023 when Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs weren't in the forefront of the pass game; he's posted 52 yards or less in each game thus far. However, his target share is solid at 18% and he's not just situational. When Jared Goff is pressured, LaPorta becomes a frequent checkdown and is dynamic after the catch. He started slowly last year before scoring 16+ DraftKings points 3 times in 5 games before going on injured reserve.PositiveMatchupSep 29, 2026
Sam LaPorta is firmly in consideration for Week 4 against Carolina; Detroit's environment with the Lions averaging 31 points per game and Carolina's secondary ravaged by injuries creates favorable conditions for the Detroit passing attack.PositiveMatchupSep 24, 2026
Sam LaPorta worked the middle and underneath for six catches, 52 yards, and a score against the Bills in Week 2. Last week, Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta worked the middle and underneath for 15 catches, 194 yards, and 3 touchdowns combined against this same Buffalo defense. The Bills secondary has been thoroughly exposed with a serious lack of talent.PositiveProjectionSep 22, 2026
LaPorta's health was the major question mark coming into this season, and he looks healthy through the first couple of weeks. His 15 targets rank fourth among all tight ends, and his 11 receptions rank fifth. Most importantly, he passes the eye test—he doesn't look like a player managing a back injury. He threw a nifty juke after the catch on his first reception and plowed through a defender for the first down on his second catch. The source recommends getting him in your lineup as a TE1.PositiveMatchupSep 22, 2026
Sam LaPorta remains a strong play for the Lions against the Jets, with Detroit carrying a 27-point implied total and favored by 6.5 points, creating a favorable game script for the offense.PositiveProjectionSep 22, 2026
LaPorta is leveling off as a high-floor TE1 with at least seven targets, five catches, and 48 yards in each of the first two games, and he scored in Week 2 after also having two red zone opportunities in Week 1; he's not going to be a true difference maker, but was worth more than what it cost to draft him and should be a stalwart producer in PPR leagues.PositiveUsageSep 17, 2026
LaPorta drew 8 targets (21% share) with 5-48-0 line in Week 1; he was one of four players receiving 95% of Lions targets, indicating solid involvement in the hyper-consolidated passing attack.NegativeMatchupSep 17, 2026
Placed in HIGH FLOOR TE1 tier for Week 2 road matchup at BUF; positioned as a reliable tight end with consistent floor.PositiveMatchupSep 15, 2026
LaPorta is solid in Week 2 against Buffalo in a 51-53.5-point total game where Detroit's high-powered offense is expected to remain aggressive for four quarters.PositiveValueSep 10, 2026
Maurile Tremblay's biggest positional regret is tight end; he wishes he'd taken more Sam LaPorta. Drew Petzing's Arizona offenses led the league in tight end target share and ran two- and three-tight-end sets extensively. Jared Goff's efficiency per dropback was much higher with LaPorta on the field than without him. Tremblay should have made LaPorta his tight end in every draft where he had not already taken Trey McBride.NegativeBustSep 6, 2026
Sam LaPorta received 4 votes as the most overrated tight end in the industry expert poll, with voters including Michael Fabiano, Jacob Rickrode, Mike Schopp, and Dwain McFarland.PositiveMatchupSep 6, 2026
Listed as a Three Stars receiver pick for Week 1 DFS based on Vegas odds analysis; the source identifies appealing game scripts through opening Vegas odds to pinpoint weekly DFS targets.NegativeProjectionSep 5, 2026
Ranked TE12 with 175.6 projected fantasy points and 11.0 FPs/$ ratio; ROI rank of 33 among tight ends in contest strategy analysis.PositiveValueSep 5, 2026
LaPorta ranks TE12 with 175.6 projected fantasy points, 11.0 FPs per dollar, and ROI rank of 33, qualifying for top-35 value at tight end.PositiveValueSep 5, 2026
LaPorta received 2 votes from industry experts in a poll on the most underrated tight end heading into the 2026 season. Voters included Rich Hribar and Jacob Gibbs.PositiveValueSep 4, 2026
Sam LaPorta rose 2 positional ranks from TE8 to TE6 between April and August, with ADP declining from 102.3 to 89.8 (12.5-point drop), indicating the source's improved conviction relative to market pricing.PositiveRoleSep 3, 2026
LaPorta, when healthy, has mid-range fantasy TE1 upside in Jared Goff's Lions offense, part of the elite surrounding talent that makes Goff a perennial sleeper value in rounds 8-11.NegativeValueAug 29, 2026
Sam LaPorta has fallen 6 spots in DraftKings Best-Ball ADP, moving from 81 to 87, now ranked TE06 at the position.PositiveValueAug 28, 2026
Ben Cummins cites Sam LaPorta as a cheaper alternative to Tyler Warren with comparable talent, positioning LaPorta as a better opportunity cost in the earlier rounds.NegativeValueAug 27, 2026
Sam LaPorta has fallen 14 spots in FBG OC ADP, dropping from rank 84 to 98 (TE8), indicating a decline in draft demand for the tight end in high-stakes championship markets.NegativeInjuryAug 26, 2026
Sam LaPorta is being drafted as TE8, but the source is uncomfortable with that valuation. Beyond his previous back injury (which can be delicate for full recovery), LaPorta carries a new hip injury that is not believed to be serious but is being managed with rest. More significantly, his role in Detroit's offense has diminished; he now ranks as the fourth receiving option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs, reducing his fantasy ceiling.NegativeInjuryAug 25, 2026
Hip injury could threaten his availability for Week 1 and potentially beyond. LaPorta was coming back from season-ending back surgery and now faces a hip injury that 'flared up a little bit, it's a little aggravated' per head coach Dan Campbell. Campbell expressed uncertainty about whether the injury would linger into the regular season. LaPorta did participate in individual and team drills on Tuesday, but his status remains uncertain.NegativeValueAug 23, 2026
Sam LaPorta fell 9 spots in NFFC ADP, dropping from rank 86 to 95 (TE8), indicating declining draft interest and negative market movement for the Detroit tight end.PositiveValueAug 20, 2026
Sam LaPorta has risen 7 spots in FBG OC ADP over the past week, moving from rank 91 to rank 84 (TE7), showing increased interest in the Detroit tight end.NegativeProjectionAug 20, 2026
The back injury concerned the source, but LaPorta has looked healthy and back to his rookie-year form. Still, Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs pose obstacles to LaPorta's path to clear-cut fantasy TE1 value.PositiveValueAug 19, 2026
A dip in production and season-ending back surgery has caused the market to sour on LaPorta, but he's in a prime position to bounce back in a new offensive system. The negative market sentiment has created a value opportunity, as his talent and situation suggest he can return to elite production.PositiveValueAug 16, 2026
Sam LaPorta has risen 8 spots in NFFC ADP over the past week, moving from 94th to 86th overall; now ranked TE7.NegativeValueAug 5, 2026
Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft used to go back-to-back in drafts; now there's a round-and-a-half gap as LaPorta rises and Kraft falls, though both analysts prefer Kraft outright and their rankings prefer him.NegativeProjectionJul 31, 2026
Sam LaPorta has lower yards per reception and yards after catch per reception than Isaiah Likely, who offers better efficiency metrics.PositiveValueJul 30, 2026
Sam LaPorta has risen 13 spots in FBG OC ADP over the past week, moving from rank 100 to rank 87 (TE5), showing significant market momentum for the Detroit tight end.PositiveValueJul 30, 2026
Sam LaPorta has risen 13 spots in FBG OC ADP over the past week, moving from rank 100 to 87 (TE5), representing one of the largest riser movements and indicating significant market confidence in the Lions tight end.PositiveValueJul 30, 2026
Sam LaPorta has risen 13 spots in FBG OC ADP over the past week, moving from rank 100 to 87 (TE5), showing significant upward momentum and increased demand for the Lions tight end.PositiveProjectionJul 27, 2026
Sam LaPorta finished as a top-20 rookie tight end in 2023 (86 receptions, 889 yards, 10 TDs, 11.3 PPG, TE1 rank) despite stepping into a room with established incumbent. His college production was solid (46 games, 153 receptions, 1,786 yards, 11.7 Y/R, 5 TDs, 38.8 YPG). LaPorta's dominant rookie season proves that established depth does not prevent rookie tight end success.PositiveProjectionJul 27, 2026
LaPorta is trending in the right direction with his herniated disc injury recovery and is on track for a big contract extension this summer. Despite caution about back injuries in general, the source sees LaPorta getting back to top-five tight end range if healthy. New OC Drew Petzing's influence from the Cardinals' offense that force-fed Trey McBride could mean similar treatment for LaPorta.PositiveProjectionJul 27, 2026
LaPorta is trending in the right direction with his herniated disc injury recovery and is on track for a big contract extension this summer. Despite cautious views on back injuries generally, the source sees LaPorta getting back to top-five tight end range if healthy. New OC Drew Petzing's influence from the Cardinals' offense that force-fed Trey McBride could mean similar high-volume treatment for LaPorta.PositiveBreakoutJul 27, 2026
Sam LaPorta finished as a top-5 rookie tight end (rank 1, 11.3 PPG, 191.9 total points) in 2023, demonstrating that elite rookie tight end production is achievable. His college production (46 games, 153 receptions, 1,786 yards, 5 TDs, 38.8 yards per game) was modest compared to other recent early-round tight ends, similar to Sadiq's profile.PositiveProjectionJul 22, 2026
Sam LaPorta finished as TE1 in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns across 17 games (191.9 fantasy points), representing one of the two TE1 finishes by first-year tight ends in the last two seasons; he was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.PositiveProjectionJul 22, 2026
Sam LaPorta finished as TE1 in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns across 17 games (191.9 fantasy points), demonstrating that first-round rookie tight ends can produce immediate top-tier fantasy value.