Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Colston Loveland vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam LaPorta and Colston Loveland are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-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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TEChicago Bears#16

Colston Loveland

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

713

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Colston Loveland

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.5 PPG9.7 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Colston Loveland: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #16 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colston Loveland is producing at 39% 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.

Colston Loveland vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Colston Loveland (8.5 PPG) and Sam LaPorta (9.7 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. Colston Loveland played 16 games for the Chicago Bears; Sam LaPorta suited up 9 times for the Detroit Lions.

A 1.2-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.

Colston Loveland is the volume tight end in this matchup with 58 receptions for 713 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 Colston Loveland, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Colston Loveland sits Week 5 while Sam LaPorta is off Week 8. 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: Colston Loveland (age 22) 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 Colston Loveland by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Colston Loveland played 16 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Colston Loveland contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colston Loveland scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colston Loveland saw 82 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatLovelandLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)8.59.7

Games Played169

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13687

Receptions5840

Rec/Game3.64.4

Receiving Yards713489

Rec Yds/Game44.654.3

Receiving TDs63

Targets8249

Target Share/Game5.15.4

Age2225

Experience-2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 5Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Colston Loveland's 8.5. 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 Colston Loveland or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Colston Loveland's 8.5 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 Colston Loveland and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Colston Loveland averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Colston Loveland and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Colston Loveland (CHI) has a bye in Week 5, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colston Loveland or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Colston Loveland by 1.2 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.