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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Noah Fant vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Sam LaPorta outscored Noah Fant by 5.3 PPG in 2025 with 3 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Sam LaPorta is the clear pick. Noah Fant profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TECincinnati Bengals#39
Noah Fant
PPG
4.4
Games
13
Rec
34
Rec Yds
288
Rec TDs
3
Targets
41
Bye
Week 10
TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER
Sam LaPorta
PPG
9.7
Games
9
Rec
40
Rec Yds
489
Rec TDs
3
Targets
49
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Noah Fant
Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

4.4 PPG9.7 PPG
13 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Noah Fant: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Noah Fant is producing at 20% 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.

Noah Fant vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Noah Fant and Sam LaPorta for your lineup, you are not alone. Noah Fant finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG for the Cincinnati Bengals (13 games), and Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 for the Detroit Lions (9 games).

That 5.3-point weekly advantage for Sam LaPorta is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Noah Fant had 34 catches for 288 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: Noah Fant sits Week 10 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

Sam LaPorta is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Noah Fant is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Noah Fant (age 28) 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 Noah Fant by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Noah Fant played 13 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Noah Fant contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Noah Fant scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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
StatFantLaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)4.49.7
Games Played139
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5787
Receptions3440
Rec/Game2.64.4
Receiving Yards288489
Rec Yds/Game22.254.3
Receiving TDs33
Targets4149
Target Share/Game3.25.4
Age2825
Experience6 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 5.3 points per game above Noah Fant's 4.4. 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 Noah Fant or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Noah Fant's 4.4 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 Noah Fant and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?

Noah Fant averaged 4.4 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 5.3 points per game.

When are Noah Fant and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?

Noah Fant (CIN) has a bye in Week 10, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Noah Fant or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Sam LaPorta outscored Noah Fant by 5.3 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.

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