Chig Okonkwo vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Chig Okonkwo and Sam LaPorta is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Washington Commanders tight end put up 5.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions averaged 9.7 in 9. A 4.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 4.1 points favors Sam LaPorta, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.
Chig Okonkwo is the volume tight end in this matchup with 56 receptions for 560 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 Chig Okonkwo, but the floor gap is real.
Chig Okonkwo has his bye in Week 14, and Sam LaPorta rests in Week 5. 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.
