Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Harold Fannin Jr. vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Sam LaPorta edges Harold Fannin Jr. by 0.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Sam LaPorta goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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TECleveland Browns#9

Harold Fannin Jr.

PPG

9.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

731

Rec TDs

Targets

107

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

Harold Fannin Jr.

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

9.4 PPG9.7 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Harold Fannin Jr.: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #9 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Harold Fannin Jr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Sam LaPorta at 44%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Harold Fannin Jr. vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Harold Fannin Jr. (9.4 PPG) and Sam LaPorta (9.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Harold Fannin Jr. played 16 games for the Cleveland Browns; Sam LaPorta suited up 9 times for the Detroit Lions.

A 0.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Harold Fannin Jr. is the volume tight end in this matchup with 72 receptions for 731 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 Harold Fannin Jr., but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Harold Fannin Jr. sits Week 9 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: Harold Fannin Jr. (age 21) 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 Harold Fannin Jr. by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Harold Fannin Jr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Harold Fannin Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Harold Fannin Jr. scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Harold Fannin Jr. saw 107 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Harold Fannin Jr. is 4 years younger than Sam LaPorta (21 vs 25), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatJr.LaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)9.49.7

Games Played169

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)15087

Receptions7240

Rec/Game4.54.4

Receiving Yards731489

Rec Yds/Game45.754.3

Receiving TDs63

Targets10749

Target Share/Game6.75.4

Age2125

Experience-2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 9Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam LaPorta holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.7 points per game. Harold Fannin Jr. averaged 9.4 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 Harold Fannin Jr. or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Harold Fannin Jr.'s 9.4 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 Harold Fannin Jr. and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Harold Fannin Jr. averaged 9.4 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 0.3 points per game.

When are Harold Fannin Jr. and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Harold Fannin Jr. (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 Harold Fannin Jr. or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Harold Fannin Jr. by 0.3 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.