Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Mason Taylor 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. Mason Taylor at 5.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam LaPorta higher, but do not fade Mason Taylor entirely.

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

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TENew York Jets#34

Mason Taylor

PPG

5.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

369

Rec TDs

Targets

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

Mason Taylor

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

5.1 PPG9.7 PPG

13 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Mason Taylor: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #34 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Mason Taylor is producing at 23% 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.

Mason Taylor vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Mason Taylor and Sam LaPorta is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New York Jets tight end put up 5.1 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions averaged 9.7 in 9. A 4.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.6 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. Mason Taylor had 44 catches for 369 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: Mason Taylor is off Week 9 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. Mason Taylor is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Mason Taylor (age 22) 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 Mason Taylor by a projected 78 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mason Taylor played 13 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Mason Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Sam LaPorta scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Mason Taylor saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatTaylorLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)5.19.7

Games Played139

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6687

Receptions4440

Rec/Game3.44.4

Receiving Yards369489

Rec Yds/Game28.454.3

Receiving TDs13

Targets6549

Target Share/Game5.05.4

Age2225

Experience-2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 9Week 8

Summary

9.7 PPG for Sam LaPorta versus 5.1 for Mason Taylor 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 Mason Taylor or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Mason Taylor's 5.1 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 Mason Taylor and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.6 points per game.

When are Mason Taylor and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Mason Taylor (NYJ) 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 Mason Taylor or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Mason Taylor by 4.6 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.