Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders by 5.5 PPG in 2025 with 3 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Sam LaPorta is the clear pick. Ja'Tavion Sanders 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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TECarolina Panthers#99

Ja'Tavion Sanders

PPG

4.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

308

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

Ja'Tavion Sanders

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

4.2 PPG9.7 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Tavion Sanders: 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, Ja'Tavion Sanders is producing at 19% 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.

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Ja'Tavion Sanders and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Ja'Tavion Sanders finished the 2025 season at 4.2 PPG for the Carolina Panthers (14 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 5.5-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. Ja'Tavion Sanders had 32 catches for 308 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.

One scheduling note: Ja'Tavion Sanders is off Week 11 and Sam LaPorta Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ja'Tavion Sanders is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Ja'Tavion Sanders (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 Ja'Tavion Sanders by a projected 93 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ja'Tavion Sanders played 14 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Ja'Tavion Sanders 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

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Tavion Sanders	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.2	9.7
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	87
Receptions	32	40
Rec/Game	2.3	4.4
Receiving Yards	308	489
Rec Yds/Game	22.0	54.3
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	45	49
Target Share/Game	3.2	5.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 5.5 points per game above Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2. 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 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 5.5 points per game.

When are Ja'Tavion Sanders and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders (CAR) 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by 5.5 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.