Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Mark Andrews vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam LaPorta is the better play on a neutral week. 9.7 PPG with 489 yards gives a reliable baseline. Mark Andrews at 6.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Mark Andrews entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEBaltimore Ravens#27

Mark Andrews

PPG

6.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

422

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Mark Andrews

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

6.3 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Mark Andrews: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #27 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Mark Andrews is producing at 29% 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.

Mark Andrews vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Mark Andrews and Sam LaPorta is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Baltimore Ravens tight end put up 6.3 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions averaged 9.7 in 9. A 3.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.4 points favors Sam LaPorta, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Mark Andrews had 48 catches for 422 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.

One scheduling note: Mark Andrews is off Week 7 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

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Mark Andrews is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Mark Andrews (age 30) 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 Mark Andrews by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mark Andrews played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Mark Andrews contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Mark Andrews scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Mark Andrews saw 70 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 5 years younger than Mark Andrews (25 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatAndrewsLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)6.39.7

Games Played179

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10787

Receptions4840

Rec/Game2.84.4

Receiving Yards422489

Rec Yds/Game24.854.3

Receiving TDs53

Targets7049

Target Share/Game4.15.4

Age3025

Experience7 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

9.7 PPG for Sam LaPorta versus 6.3 for Mark Andrews in 2025. The baseline favors Sam LaPorta, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Mark Andrews or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Mark Andrews's 6.3 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 Mark Andrews and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Mark Andrews averaged 6.3 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 3.4 points per game.

When are Mark Andrews and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Mark Andrews (BAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Mark Andrews or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Mark Andrews by 3.4 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.