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Sam LaPorta vs Saquon Barkley

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

TEDetroit Lions
Sam LaPorta
PPG
9.7
Games
9
Rec
40
Rec Yds
489
Rec TDs
3
Targets
49
Bye
Week 5
RBPhiladelphia EaglesPPG LEADER
Saquon Barkley
PPG
13.4
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,140
Rush TDs
7
Rec
37
Rec Yds
273
Bye
Week 5

Head to Head

9.7 PPG13.4 PPG
9 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 5

Sam LaPorta vs Saquon Barkley: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) against Saquon Barkley (RB, Philadelphia Eagles) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG in 2025 over 9 games, while Saquon Barkley posted 13.4 PPG across 16 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.

The Bottom Line

13.4 PPG for Saquon Barkley versus 9.7 for Sam LaPorta in 2025. The baseline favors Saquon Barkley, 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 Sam LaPorta or Saquon Barkley in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Saquon Barkley has the edge at 13.4 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.

How many fantasy points did Sam LaPorta and Saquon Barkley average in 2025?

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

Do Sam LaPorta and Saquon Barkley share a bye week?

Yes, both Sam LaPorta and Saquon Barkley share a Week 5 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.