Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Pat Freiermuth 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 has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.5-PPG advantage is real (9.7 to 6.2), and Sam LaPorta's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Pat Freiermuth is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Pat Freiermuth

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

6.2 PPG9.7 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Pat Freiermuth is producing at 28% 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.

Pat Freiermuth vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Pat Freiermuth and Sam LaPorta are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG across 15 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG in 9 appearances for the Detroit Lions.

A 3.5-PPG gap gives Sam LaPorta the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Pat Freiermuth had 41 catches for 486 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: Pat Freiermuth is off Week 5 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

If you can acquire Sam LaPorta at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Pat Freiermuth is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Pat Freiermuth (age 27) 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 Pat Freiermuth by a projected 59 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Pat Freiermuth scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Pat Freiermuth saw 54 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatFreiermuthLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)6.29.7

Games Played159

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)9387

Receptions4140

Rec/Game2.74.4

Receiving Yards486489

Rec Yds/Game32.454.3

Receiving TDs43

Targets5449

Target Share/Game3.65.4

Age2725

Experience4 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 5Week 8

Summary

Sam LaPorta outscored Pat Freiermuth by 3.5 PPG in 2025 (9.7 to 6.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Pat Freiermuth or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Pat Freiermuth and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 5, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Pat Freiermuth or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Pat Freiermuth by 3.5 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.