Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Dalton Schultz 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. Dalton Schultz at 8.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Dalton Schultz entirely.

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

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TEHouston Texans#18

Dalton Schultz

PPG

8.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 6

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Dalton Schultz

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.0 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Schultz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Schultz is producing at 36% 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 Schultz vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Dalton Schultz and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Dalton Schultz finished the 2025 season at 8.0 PPG for the Houston Texans (17 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 1.7-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.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 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 Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Dalton Schultz is off Week 6 and Sam LaPorta Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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 Schultz (age 29) 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 Schultz by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Dalton Schultz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dalton Schultz scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Dalton Schultz saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 4 years younger than Dalton Schultz (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatSchultzLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)8.09.7

Games Played179

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13687

Receptions8240

Rec/Game4.84.4

Receiving Yards777489

Rec Yds/Game45.754.3

Receiving TDs33

Targets10649

Target Share/Game6.25.4

Age2925

Experience7 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 6Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Dalton Schultz's 8.0. 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 Schultz or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Dalton Schultz's 8.0 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 Schultz and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 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 1.7 points per game.

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

Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 6, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Sam LaPorta outscored Dalton Schultz by 1.7 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.