Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs Travis KelceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Travis Kelce's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEKansas City Chiefs#10

Travis Kelce

PPG

9.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

851

Rec TDs

Targets

108

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Travis Kelce

Head to Head

9.7 PPG9.1 PPG

9 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Travis Kelce at 41%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Sam LaPorta vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Sam LaPorta finished the 2025 season at 9.7 PPG over 9 games with the Detroit Lions, while Travis Kelce clocked in at 9.1 across 17 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 0.6-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while Sam LaPorta profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 40 catches). In weeks where Sam LaPorta finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Sam LaPorta is off Week 6 and Travis Kelce Week 5. 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. Travis Kelce (age 36) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Travis Kelce by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Travis Kelce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Travis Kelce scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Travis Kelce saw 108 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 11 years younger than Travis Kelce (25 vs 36), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam LaPorta vs Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Travis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	9.1
Games Played	9	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	155
Receptions	40	76
Rec/Game	4.4	4.5
Receiving Yards	489	851
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	50.1
Receiving TDs	3	5
Targets	49	108
Target Share/Game	5.4	6.4
Age	25	36
Experience	2 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

9.7 PPG for Sam LaPorta versus 9.1 for Travis Kelce 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 Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Travis Kelce's 9.1 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 Travis Kelce average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Travis Kelce by 0.6 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.