Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

David Njoku 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. David Njoku at 6.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade David Njoku entirely.

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

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TECleveland Browns#26

David Njoku

PPG

6.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

David Njoku

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

6.3 PPG9.7 PPG

11 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

David Njoku: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #26 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, David Njoku is producing at 29% 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.

David Njoku vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between David Njoku and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. David Njoku finished the 2025 season at 6.3 PPG for the Cleveland Browns (11 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 3.4-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. David Njoku had 33 catches for 293 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 scheduling note: David Njoku is off Week 9 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

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. David Njoku is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: David Njoku (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 David Njoku by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•David Njoku played 11 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means David Njoku contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•David Njoku scored 4 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.
•Sam LaPorta is 4 years younger than David Njoku (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatNjokuLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)6.39.7

Games Played119

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6987

Receptions3340

Rec/Game3.04.4

Receiving Yards293489

Rec Yds/Game26.654.3

Receiving TDs43

Targets4849

Target Share/Game4.45.4

Age2925

Experience8 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 9Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 3.4 points per game above David Njoku's 6.3. 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 David Njoku or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to David Njoku's 6.3 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 David Njoku and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

David Njoku averaged 6.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are David Njoku and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

David Njoku (CLE) has a bye in Week 9, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Njoku or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored David Njoku by 3.4 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.