Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam LaPorta has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.9-PPG advantage is real (9.7 to 5.8), and Sam LaPorta's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. T.J. Hockenson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

TEMinnesota Vikings#30

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

9.7 PPG5.8 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.7 fantasy points per game in 9 games. T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings) came in at 5.8 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Sam LaPorta carries a 3.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Sam LaPorta had 40 catches for 489 yards; T.J. Hockenson posted 51 for 438. 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 6 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Sam LaPorta at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. T.J. Hockenson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•T.J. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means T.J. Hockenson 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.
•T.J. Hockenson saw 66 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

Sam LaPorta vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	5.8
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	87
Receptions	40	51
Rec/Game	4.4	3.4
Receiving Yards	489	438
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	29.2
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	49	66
Target Share/Game	5.4	4.4
Age	25	28
Experience	2 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam LaPorta holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.7 points per game. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Sam LaPorta or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

Do Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson share a bye week?▾

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

Is Sam LaPorta or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored T.J. Hockenson by 3.9 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.