Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Sam LaPorta outscored Gunnar Helm by 5.3 PPG in 2025 with 3 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Sam LaPorta is the clear pick. Gunnar Helm profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

The DraftCall app pushes alerts the moment Gunnar Helm or Sam LaPorta's status changes. Free.

Get the App

TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

4.4 PPG9.7 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% 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.

Gunnar Helm vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Gunnar Helm and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Gunnar Helm finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG for the Tennessee Titans (16 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 5.3-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. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Gunnar Helm sits Week 10 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

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Gunnar Helm is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Gunnar Helm (age 23) 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 Gunnar Helm by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Sam LaPorta scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHelmLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)4.49.7

Games Played169

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7087

Receptions4440

Rec/Game2.84.4

Receiving Yards357489

Rec Yds/Game22.354.3

Receiving TDs23

Targets5549

Target Share/Game3.45.4

Age2325

Experience-2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 5.3 points per game above Gunnar Helm's 4.4. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Gunnar Helm vs Sam LaPorta

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gunnar Helm or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 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 5.3 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Gunnar Helm by 5.3 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.