Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Juwan Johnson 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 Juwan Johnson by 1.4 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 Orleans Saints#17

Juwan Johnson

PPG

8.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

889

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 11

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Juwan Johnson

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

8.3 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Juwan Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #17 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Juwan Johnson is producing at 38% 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.

Juwan Johnson vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Juwan Johnson finished the 2025 season at 8.3 PPG over 17 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Sam LaPorta clocked in at 9.7 across 9 appearances for the Detroit Lions. A 1.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Juwan Johnson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 77 receptions for 889 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 Juwan Johnson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Juwan Johnson is off Week 11 and Sam LaPorta Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Juwan Johnson (age 29) 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 Juwan Johnson by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Juwan Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Juwan Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Juwan Johnson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Juwan Johnson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 4 years younger than Juwan Johnson (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatJohnsonLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)8.39.7

Games Played179

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)14187

Receptions7740

Rec/Game4.54.4

Receiving Yards889489

Rec Yds/Game52.354.3

Receiving TDs33

Targets10249

Target Share/Game6.05.4

Age2925

Experience5 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 11Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam LaPorta holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.7 points per game. Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 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 Juwan Johnson or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Juwan Johnson's 8.3 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 Juwan Johnson and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 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 1.4 points per game.

When are Juwan Johnson and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Juwan Johnson (NO) has a bye in Week 11, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Juwan Johnson or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Juwan Johnson by 1.4 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.