Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Theo Johnson's 7.0 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. Theo Johnson at 7.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Theo Johnson entirely.

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

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TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TENew York Giants#24

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

9.7 PPG7.0 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Sam LaPorta and Theo Johnson for your lineup, you are not alone. Sam LaPorta finished the 2025 season at 9.7 PPG for the Detroit Lions (9 games), and Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 for the New York Giants (15 games).

That 2.7-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. Sam LaPorta had 40 catches for 489 yards; Theo Johnson posted 45 for 528. 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: Sam LaPorta is off Week 6 and Theo Johnson Week 8. 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

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: Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Theo Johnson by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Theo Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Theo Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam LaPorta vs Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	7.0
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	105
Receptions	40	45
Rec/Game	4.4	3.0
Receiving Yards	489	528
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	35.2
Receiving TDs	3	5
Targets	49	74
Target Share/Game	5.4	4.9
Age	25	25
Experience	2 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 2.7 points per game above Theo Johnson's 7.0. 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 Sam LaPorta or Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Theo Johnson's 7.0 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 Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Sam LaPorta and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam LaPorta or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Theo Johnson by 2.7 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.