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Head to Head

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Noah Gray vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Noah Gray's 4.6 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 Noah Gray by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 3 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Sam LaPorta is the clear pick. Noah Gray 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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TEKansas City Chiefs#99
Noah Gray
PPG
4.6
Games
17
Rec
38
Rec Yds
385
Rec TDs
2
Targets
50
Bye
Week 6
TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER
Sam LaPorta
PPG
9.7
Games
9
Rec
40
Rec Yds
489
Rec TDs
3
Targets
49
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Noah Gray
Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

4.6 PPG9.7 PPG
17 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Noah Gray: 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, Noah Gray 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.

Noah Gray vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Noah Gray and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Noah Gray finished the 2025 season at 4.6 PPG for the Kansas City Chiefs (17 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 5.1-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. Noah Gray had 38 catches for 385 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. Noah Gray is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Noah Gray (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 Noah Gray by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Noah Gray played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Noah Gray 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.
  • Noah Gray saw 50 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

Noah Gray vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatNoah GraySam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)4.69.7
Games Played179
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7887
Receptions3840
Rec/Game2.24.4
Receiving Yards385489
Rec Yds/Game22.654.3
Receiving TDs23
Targets5049
Target Share/Game2.95.4
Age-25
Experience-2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 5.1 points per game above Noah Gray's 4.6. 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 Noah Gray or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Noah Gray's 4.6 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 Noah Gray and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?

Noah Gray averaged 4.6 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 5.1 points per game.

Do Noah Gray and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?

Yes, both Noah Gray 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 Noah Gray or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Sam LaPorta outscored Noah Gray by 5.1 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.

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