Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam LaPorta is the better play on a neutral week. 9.7 PPG with 489 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Jonnu Smith entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jonnu Smith

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.2 PPG9.7 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: 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, Jonnu Smith is producing at 37% 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.

Jonnu Smith vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jonnu Smith and Sam LaPorta is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins tight end put up 8.2 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions averaged 9.7 in 9. A 1.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.5 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. Jonnu Smith had 52 catches for 562 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.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Jonnu Smith (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 Jonnu Smith by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonnu Smith vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	9.7
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	87
Receptions	52	40
Rec/Game	3.5	4.4
Receiving Yards	562	489
Rec Yds/Game	37.5	54.3
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	68	49
Target Share/Game	4.5	5.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

9.7 PPG for Sam LaPorta versus 8.2 for Jonnu Smith 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 Jonnu Smith or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Jonnu Smith and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

Do Jonnu Smith and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jonnu Smith and Sam LaPorta share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Jonnu Smith or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Jonnu Smith by 1.5 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.