Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jake Tonges vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam LaPorta and Jake Tonges are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TESan Francisco 49ers#15

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

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

Jake Tonges

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.5 PPG9.7 PPG

9 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Tonges is producing at 39% 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.

Jake Tonges vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Jake Tonges (8.5 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. Jake Tonges played 9 games for the San Francisco 49ers; Sam LaPorta suited up 9 times for the Detroit Lions.

A 1.2-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Jake Tonges had 34 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jake Tonges 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: Jake Tonges (age 26) 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 Jake Tonges by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatTongesLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)8.59.7

Games Played99

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7787

Receptions3440

Rec/Game3.84.4

Receiving Yards293489

Rec Yds/Game32.654.3

Receiving TDs53

Targets4649

Target Share/Game5.15.4

Age2625

Experience3 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Jake Tonges's 8.5. 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 Jake Tonges or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Jake Tonges's 8.5 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 Jake Tonges and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Jake Tonges and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges (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 Jake Tonges or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Jake Tonges by 1.2 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.