Cade Otton vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Cade Otton and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Cade Otton finished the 2025 season at 5.8 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).
That 3.9-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.
Cade Otton is the volume tight end in this matchup with 59 receptions for 572 yards, while Sam LaPorta profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 40 catches). In weeks where Sam LaPorta finds the end zone he out-scores Cade Otton, but the floor gap is real.
One scheduling note: Cade Otton is off Week 11 and Sam LaPorta Week 5. 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.
