Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brenton Strange vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Brenton Strange's 7.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam LaPorta has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (9.7 to 7.9), and Sam LaPorta's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Brenton Strange is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEJacksonville Jaguars#19

Brenton Strange

PPG

7.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

540

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Brenton Strange

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

7.9 PPG9.7 PPG

12 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brenton Strange is producing at 36% 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.

Brenton Strange vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Brenton Strange and Sam LaPorta are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 PPG across 12 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG in 9 appearances for the Detroit Lions.

A 1.8-PPG gap gives Sam LaPorta the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Brenton Strange had 46 catches for 540 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.

One scheduling note: Brenton Strange is off Week 7 and Sam LaPorta Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Brenton Strange (age 25) 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 Brenton Strange by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Brenton Strange played 12 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Brenton Strange contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Brenton Strange scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Brenton Strange saw 60 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brenton Strange vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brenton Strange	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.9	9.7
Games Played	12	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	87
Receptions	46	40
Rec/Game	3.8	4.4
Receiving Yards	540	489
Rec Yds/Game	45.0	54.3
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	60	49
Target Share/Game	5.0	5.4
Age	25	25
Experience	2 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

Sam LaPorta outscored Brenton Strange by 1.8 PPG in 2025 (9.7 to 7.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Brenton Strange's 7.9 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 Brenton Strange and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brenton Strange or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Brenton Strange by 1.8 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.