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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Mike Gesicki or Sam LaPortaWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Sam LaPorta over Mike Gesicki in 2026.

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG in 2025 to Mike Gesicki's 4.7, a 5.0 point per game edge. LaPorta posted that edge in only 9 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability. Sam LaPorta is Tier 2 at the position, Mike Gesicki is Tier 4.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better play on a neutral week. 9.7 PPG with 489 yards gives a reliable baseline. Mike Gesicki at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Mike Gesicki entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TECincinnati Bengals#36

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

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

Mike Gesicki

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

4.7 PPG9.7 PPG

12 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Mike Gesicki is producing at 21% 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.

Mike Gesicki vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Mike Gesicki and Sam LaPorta is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals tight end put up 4.7 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions averaged 9.7 in 9. A 5.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.0 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. Mike Gesicki had 28 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.

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

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Mike Gesicki is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Mike Gesicki by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mike Gesicki played 12 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Mike Gesicki 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.
•Sam LaPorta is 5 years younger than Mike Gesicki (25 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mike Gesicki vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Mike Gesicki	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	9.7
Games Played	12	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	87
Receptions	28	40
Rec/Game	2.3	4.4
Receiving Yards	307	489
Rec Yds/Game	25.6	54.3
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	42	49
Target Share/Game	3.5	5.4
Age	30	25
Experience	7 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

9.7 PPG for Sam LaPorta versus 4.7 for Mike Gesicki 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 Mike Gesicki or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Mike Gesicki's 4.7 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 Mike Gesicki or Sam LaPorta in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Sam LaPorta is the earlier pick. He averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Mike Gesicki's 4.7, a 5.0 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Mike Gesicki and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

Do Mike Gesicki and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Mike Gesicki 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 Mike Gesicki or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Mike Gesicki by 5.0 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.