Isaiah Likely vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?
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 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
