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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Dalton Kincaid 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 Dalton Kincaid 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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TEBuffalo Bills#11
Dalton Kincaid
PPG
8.9
Games
12
Rec
39
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7
TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER
Sam LaPorta
PPG
9.7
Games
9
Rec
40
Rec Yds
489
Rec TDs
3
Targets
49
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dalton Kincaid
Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.9 PPG9.7 PPG
12 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Kincaid: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #11 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Kincaid is producing at 40% 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.

Dalton Kincaid vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

The gap between Dalton Kincaid and Sam LaPorta is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Dalton Kincaid averaged 8.9 PPG with the Buffalo Bills across 12 games, and Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 with the Detroit Lions in 9.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dalton Kincaid had 39 catches for 571 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.

Dalton Kincaid has his bye in Week 7, and Sam LaPorta rests in Week 8. 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: Dalton Kincaid (age 26) 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 Dalton Kincaid by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dalton Kincaid played 12 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Dalton Kincaid contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Dalton Kincaid scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Sam LaPorta saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatKincaidLaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)8.99.7
Games Played129
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10787
Receptions3940
Rec/Game3.34.4
Receiving Yards571489
Rec Yds/Game47.654.3
Receiving TDs53
Targets4949
Target Share/Game4.15.4
Age2625
Experience2 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Dalton Kincaid'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 Dalton Kincaid or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Dalton Kincaid'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 Dalton Kincaid and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?

Dalton Kincaid averaged 8.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Dalton Kincaid and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?

Dalton Kincaid (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Kincaid or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Sam LaPorta outscored Dalton Kincaid 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.