Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Puka Nacua vs Sam LaPorta

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Puka Nacua (19.4 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Sam LaPorta (9.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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WRLos Angeles Rams#1PPG LEADER

Puka Nacua

PPG

19.4

Games

Rec

129

Rec Yds

1,715

Rec TDs

Targets

166

Bye

Week 8

TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Puka Nacua

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

19.4 PPG9.7 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Puka Nacua: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #1 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

Puka Nacua vs Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Puka Nacua (WR, Los Angeles Rams) against Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Puka Nacua averaged 19.4 PPG in 2025 over 16 games, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG across 9 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Puka Nacua is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Sam LaPorta is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Puka Nacua (age 24) 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?

•Puka Nacua outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 165 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Puka Nacua played 16 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Puka Nacua contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Puka Nacua scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Both players share a Week 8 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatNacuaLaPorta

PPG (Half-PPR)19.49.7

Games Played169

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)31087

Receptions12940

Rec/Game8.14.4

Receiving Yards1,715489

Rec Yds/Game107.254.3

Receiving TDs103

Targets16649

Target Share/Game10.45.4

Age2425

Experience2 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 8

Summary

19.4 PPG for Puka Nacua versus 9.7 for Sam LaPorta in 2025. The baseline favors Puka Nacua, 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 Puka Nacua or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Puka Nacua has the edge at 19.4 PPG compared to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 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 Puka Nacua and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Puka Nacua averaged 19.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 9.7 points per game.

Do Puka Nacua and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Puka Nacua and Sam LaPorta share a Week 8 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.