Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

George Kittle has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.4-PPG advantage is real (12.1 to 9.7), and George Kittle's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Sam LaPorta is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

12.1 PPG9.7 PPG

11 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Sam LaPorta at 44%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.1 fantasy points per game in 11 games. Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions) came in at 9.7 PPG over 9 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

George Kittle carries a 2.4-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

George Kittle is the volume tight end in this matchup with 57 receptions for 628 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 George Kittle, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: George Kittle sits Week 14 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: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•George Kittle played 11 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means George Kittle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•George Kittle saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 7 years younger than George Kittle (25 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatKittleLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)12.19.7

Games Played119

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13387

Receptions5740

Rec/Game5.24.4

Receiving Yards628489

Rec Yds/Game57.154.3

Receiving TDs73

Targets6949

Target Share/Game6.35.4

Age3225

Experience8 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, George Kittle holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.1 points per game. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start George Kittle or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 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 George Kittle and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 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 2.4 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 14, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is George Kittle or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Sam LaPorta by 2.4 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.