Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Colby Parkinson 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 has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.0-PPG advantage is real (9.7 to 7.7), and Sam LaPorta's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Colby Parkinson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TELos Angeles Rams#21

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

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

Colby Parkinson

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

7.7 PPG9.7 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% 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.

Colby Parkinson vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Colby Parkinson and Sam LaPorta are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG across 14 games with the Los Angeles Rams, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG in 9 appearances for the Detroit Lions.

A 2.0-PPG gap gives Sam LaPorta the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 8 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Colby Parkinson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Colby Parkinson by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Colby Parkinson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Colby Parkinson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colby Parkinson saw 56 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▾

StatParkinsonLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)7.79.7

Games Played149

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10887

Receptions4340

Rec/Game3.14.4

Receiving Yards408489

Rec Yds/Game29.154.3

Receiving TDs83

Targets5649

Target Share/Game4.05.4

Age2725

Experience5 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 8

Summary

Sam LaPorta outscored Colby Parkinson by 2.0 PPG in 2025 (9.7 to 7.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Colby Parkinson or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Colby Parkinson's 7.7 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 Colby Parkinson and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

Do Colby Parkinson and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Colby Parkinson 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 Colby Parkinson or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Colby Parkinson by 2.0 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.