Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam LaPorta is the better play on a neutral week. 9.7 PPG with 489 yards gives a reliable baseline. Zach Ertz at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Zach Ertz entirely.

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

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

9.7 PPG7.8 PPG

9 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Sam LaPorta and Zach Ertz for your lineup, you are not alone. Sam LaPorta finished the 2025 season at 9.7 PPG for the Detroit Lions (9 games), and Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 for the Washington Commanders (13 games).

That 1.9-point weekly advantage for Sam LaPorta is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Sam LaPorta had 40 catches for 489 yards; Zach Ertz posted 50 for 504. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Sam LaPorta has his bye in Week 6, and Zach Ertz rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Ertz scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Zach Ertz saw 72 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 10 years younger than Zach Ertz (25 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam LaPorta vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	7.8
Games Played	9	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	101
Receptions	40	50
Rec/Game	4.4	3.8
Receiving Yards	489	504
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	38.8
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	49	72
Target Share/Game	5.4	5.5
Age	25	35
Experience	2 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 1.9 points per game above Zach Ertz's 7.8. 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 Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Zach Ertz's 7.8 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 Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Sam LaPorta and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam LaPorta or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Zach Ertz by 1.9 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.