Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 3.2-PPG advantage is real (9.7 to 6.5), and Sam LaPorta's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Tyler Higbee 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

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

9.7 PPG6.5 PPG

9 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs Tyler Higbee: 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 Higbee (Los Angeles Rams) came in at 6.5 PPG over 9 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Sam LaPorta carries a 3.2-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 Higbee posted 25 for 281. 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 Tyler Higbee Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Sam LaPorta at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Tyler Higbee 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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam LaPorta scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Sam LaPorta saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 8 years younger than Tyler Higbee (25 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam LaPorta vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	6.5
Games Played	9	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	59
Receptions	40	25
Rec/Game	4.4	2.8
Receiving Yards	489	281
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	31.2
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	49	36
Target Share/Game	5.4	4.0
Age	25	33
Experience	2 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam LaPorta holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.7 points per game. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 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 Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Higbee average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

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

Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Sam LaPorta outscored Tyler Higbee by 3.2 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.