Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

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. AJ Barner at 7.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade AJ Barner entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TESeattle Seahawks#22

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

7.1 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Sam LaPorta at 44%. That ranking gap means Sam LaPorta carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. AJ Barner finished the 2025 season at 7.1 PPG for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 2.6-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. AJ Barner had 52 catches for 519 yards; Sam LaPorta posted 40 for 489. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 8 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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: AJ Barner (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored AJ Barner by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means AJ Barner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•AJ Barner scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•AJ Barner saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 8 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatBarnerLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)7.19.7

Games Played179

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)12187

Receptions5240

Rec/Game3.14.4

Receiving Yards519489

Rec Yds/Game30.554.3

Receiving TDs63

Targets6849

Target Share/Game4.05.4

Age2425

Experience1 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 2.6 points per game above AJ Barner's 7.1. 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 AJ Barner or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to AJ Barner's 7.1 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 AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

Do AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both AJ Barner and Sam LaPorta share a Week 8 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is AJ Barner or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored AJ Barner by 2.6 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.