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Chigoziem Okonkwo vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Chigoziem Okonkwo's 6.5 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. Chigoziem Okonkwo at 6.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Chigoziem Okonkwo entirely.

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

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TETennessee Titans#99
Chigoziem Okonkwo
PPG
6.5
Games
16
Rec
42
Rec Yds
462
Rec TDs
2
Targets
58
Bye
Week 5
TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER
Sam LaPorta
PPG
9.7
Games
9
Rec
40
Rec Yds
489
Rec TDs
3
Targets
49
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Chigoziem Okonkwo
Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

6.5 PPG9.7 PPG
16 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Chigoziem Okonkwo: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Chigoziem Okonkwo is producing at 30% 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.

Chigoziem Okonkwo vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Chigoziem Okonkwo and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Chigoziem Okonkwo finished the 2025 season at 6.5 PPG for the Tennessee Titans (16 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 3.2-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. Chigoziem Okonkwo had 42 catches for 462 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.

Chigoziem Okonkwo has his bye in Week 5, 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

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Chigoziem Okonkwo is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Chigoziem Okonkwo (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Sam LaPorta outscored Chigoziem Okonkwo by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Chigoziem Okonkwo played 16 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Chigoziem Okonkwo contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Sam LaPorta scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Chigoziem Okonkwo saw 58 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chigoziem Okonkwo vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatChigoziem OkonkwoSam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)6.59.7
Games Played169
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10487
Receptions4240
Rec/Game2.64.4
Receiving Yards462489
Rec Yds/Game28.954.3
Receiving TDs23
Targets5849
Target Share/Game3.65.4
Age-25
Experience-2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 3.2 points per game above Chigoziem Okonkwo's 6.5. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chigoziem Okonkwo or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Chigoziem Okonkwo's 6.5 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 Chigoziem Okonkwo and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?

Chigoziem Okonkwo averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are Chigoziem Okonkwo and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?

Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN) has a bye in Week 5, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chigoziem Okonkwo or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Sam LaPorta outscored Chigoziem Okonkwo by 3.2 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.