Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Isaiah Likely vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 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 Isaiah Likely by 6.3 PPG in 2025 with 3 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Sam LaPorta is the clear pick. Isaiah Likely 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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TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Isaiah Likely

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

3.4 PPG9.7 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Isaiah Likely: 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, Isaiah Likely is producing at 15% 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.

Isaiah Likely vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Sam LaPorta put up 9.7 fantasy points per game for the Detroit Lions in 2025, while Isaiah Likely managed 3.4 across 14 games with the New York Giants. A 6.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the tight end position.

The per-game difference of 6.3 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Isaiah Likely had 27 catches for 307 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Isaiah Likely sits Week 11 while Sam LaPorta is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Isaiah Likely is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Isaiah Likely (age 26) 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 Isaiah Likely by a projected 107 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Isaiah Likely played 14 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Isaiah Likely 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

Isaiah Likely vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isaiah Likely	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.4	9.7
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	48	87
Receptions	27	40
Rec/Game	1.9	4.4
Receiving Yards	307	489
Rec Yds/Game	21.9	54.3
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	36	49
Target Share/Game	2.6	5.4
Age	26	25
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

9.7 PPG for Sam LaPorta versus 3.4 for Isaiah Likely in 2025. The baseline favors Sam LaPorta, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Isaiah Likely or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 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 Isaiah Likely and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 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 6.3 points per game.

When are Isaiah Likely and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isaiah Likely or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Isaiah Likely by 6.3 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.