Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to AJ Barner's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam LaPorta is the better play on a neutral week. 9.7 PPG with 489 yards gives a reliable baseline. AJ Barner at 7.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade AJ Barner entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TESeattle Seahawks#22

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

7.1 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Sam LaPorta at 44%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. AJ Barner finished the 2025 season at 7.1 PPG for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 2.6-point weekly advantage for Sam LaPorta is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Sam LaPorta posted 40 for 489. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

AJ Barner has his bye in Week 11, and Sam LaPorta rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: AJ Barner (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored AJ Barner by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means AJ Barner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•AJ Barner scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•AJ Barner saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	9.7
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	87
Receptions	52	40
Rec/Game	3.1	4.4
Receiving Yards	519	489
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	54.3
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	68	49
Target Share/Game	4.0	5.4
Age	24	25
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 2.6 points per game above AJ Barner's 7.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on AJ Barner vs Sam LaPorta

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on AJ Barner vs Sam LaPorta

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start AJ Barner or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to AJ Barner's 7.1 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored AJ Barner by 2.6 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.