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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

James Cook or Sam LaPortaWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Cook over Sam LaPorta in 2026.

James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025 to Sam LaPorta's 9.7, a 7.1 point per game edge. Cook also stayed healthier, playing 17 games to 9, which steadies his weekly floor. James Cook is Tier 2 among running backs, Sam LaPorta is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, James Cook (16.8 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Sam LaPorta (9.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

16.8 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

James Cook vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Comparing James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) against Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG across 9 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

James Cook has his bye in Week 7, Sam LaPorta in Week 6. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Cook at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Sam LaPorta is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 121 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means James Cook contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Sam LaPorta caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Cook vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Cook	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	9.7
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	87
Rushing Yards	1,621	0
Rush Yds/Game	95.4	0.0
Rushing TDs	12	0
Receptions	33	40
Receiving Yards	291	489
Targets	40	49
Total TDs	14	3
Age	26	25
Experience	3 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Cook holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.8 points per game. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Cook or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 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.

Should I draft James Cook or Sam LaPorta in 2026 fantasy football?▾

They come off the board at different positions, so weigh James Cook's 16.8 fantasy points per game against Sam LaPorta's 9.7 and what your roster still needs at TE. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did James Cook and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 7.1 points per game.

When are James Cook and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.