Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Hunter Henry 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 Hunter Henry by 0.9 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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TENew England Patriots#13

Hunter Henry

PPG

8.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

768

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Hunter Henry

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.8 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Hunter Henry: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #13 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hunter Henry is producing at 40% 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.

Hunter Henry vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

The gap between Hunter Henry and Sam LaPorta is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.9 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Hunter Henry averaged 8.8 PPG with the New England Patriots across 17 games, and Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 with the Detroit Lions in 9.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Hunter Henry is the volume tight end in this matchup with 60 receptions for 768 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 Hunter Henry, but the floor gap is real.

Hunter Henry has his bye in Week 14, and Sam LaPorta rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Hunter Henry (age 31) 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?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Hunter Henry by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hunter Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Hunter Henry contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Hunter Henry scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Hunter Henry saw 87 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 6 years younger than Hunter Henry (25 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHenryLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)8.89.7

Games Played179

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)15087

Receptions6040

Rec/Game3.54.4

Receiving Yards768489

Rec Yds/Game45.254.3

Receiving TDs73

Targets8749

Target Share/Game5.15.4

Age3125

Experience9 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam LaPorta holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.7 points per game. Hunter Henry averaged 8.8 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 Hunter Henry or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Hunter Henry's 8.8 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 Hunter Henry and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Hunter Henry averaged 8.8 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 0.9 points per game.

When are Hunter Henry and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hunter Henry (NE) 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 Hunter Henry or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Hunter Henry by 0.9 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.