Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Hayden Hurst vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Sam LaPorta outscored Hayden Hurst by 6.0 PPG in 2025 with 3 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Sam LaPorta is the clear pick. Hayden Hurst profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Hayden Hurst

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

3.7 PPG9.7 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: 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, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% 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.

Hayden Hurst vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Hayden Hurst and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Hayden Hurst finished the 2025 season at 3.7 PPG for the Los Angeles Chargers (14 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 6.0-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. Hayden Hurst had 25 catches for 238 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.

Hayden Hurst 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. Hayden Hurst is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Hayden Hurst (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 Hayden Hurst by a projected 102 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst 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.
•Sam LaPorta saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Hayden Hurst vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Hayden Hurst	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.7	9.7
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	52	87
Receptions	25	40
Rec/Game	1.8	4.4
Receiving Yards	238	489
Rec Yds/Game	17.0	54.3
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	35	49
Target Share/Game	2.5	5.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 6.0 points per game above Hayden Hurst's 3.7. 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 Hayden Hurst or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Hayden Hurst and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 6.0 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hayden Hurst (LAC) 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 Hayden Hurst or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Hayden Hurst by 6.0 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.