Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs Tyler ConklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Tyler Conklin's 7.5 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 2.2-PPG advantage is real (9.7 to 7.5), and Sam LaPorta's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Tyler Conklin 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

TENew York Jets#99

Tyler Conklin

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Tyler Conklin

Head to Head

9.7 PPG7.5 PPG

9 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Tyler Conklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tyler Conklin at 34%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs Tyler Conklin: 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. Tyler Conklin (New York Jets) came in at 7.5 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Sam LaPorta carries a 2.2-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; Tyler Conklin posted 50 for 525. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Sam LaPorta sits Week 6 while Tyler Conklin is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Tyler Conklin (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Tyler Conklin by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Conklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Tyler Conklin 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.
•Tyler Conklin saw 65 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 Tyler Conklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Tyler Conklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	7.5
Games Played	9	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	128
Receptions	40	50
Rec/Game	4.4	2.9
Receiving Yards	489	525
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	30.9
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	49	65
Target Share/Game	5.4	3.8
Age	25	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam LaPorta holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.7 points per game. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 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 Tyler Conklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Tyler Conklin's 7.5 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 Tyler Conklin average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Sam LaPorta and Tyler Conklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Conklin (NYJ) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam LaPorta or Tyler Conklin a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Tyler Conklin by 2.2 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.