Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Tyler Warren's 8.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam LaPorta and Tyler Warren are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-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

TEIndianapolis Colts#12

Tyler Warren

PPG

8.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

817

Rec TDs

Targets

112

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Tyler Warren

Head to Head

9.7 PPG8.9 PPG

9 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Tyler Warren: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #12 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tyler Warren at 40%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs Tyler Warren: The Full Breakdown

Sam LaPorta (9.7 PPG) and Tyler Warren (8.9 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Sam LaPorta played 9 games for the Detroit Lions; Tyler Warren suited up 17 times for the Indianapolis Colts.

A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Tyler Warren is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 817 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 Tyler Warren, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Sam LaPorta sits Week 6 while Tyler Warren is off Week 13. 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 Warren (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Tyler Warren by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Warren played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Tyler Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Warren scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Tyler Warren saw 112 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 Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Tyler Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	8.9
Games Played	9	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	151
Receptions	40	76
Rec/Game	4.4	4.5
Receiving Yards	489	817
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	48.1
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	49	112
Target Share/Game	5.4	6.6
Age	25	24
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Tyler Warren's 8.9. 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 Tyler Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Tyler Warren's 8.9 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 Warren average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tyler Warren averaged 8.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

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

Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Warren (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Sam LaPorta outscored Tyler Warren by 0.8 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.