Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs Tucker Kraft

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Tucker Kraft is the better fantasy play this season.

Tucker Kraft has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.9-PPG advantage is real (12.6 to 9.7), and Tucker Kraft's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Sam LaPorta 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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TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TEGreen Bay Packers#2PPG LEADER

Tucker Kraft

PPG

12.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Tucker Kraft

Head to Head

9.7 PPG12.6 PPG

9 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Tucker Kraft: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Sam LaPorta is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tucker Kraft at 57%. That ranking gap means Tucker Kraft carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam LaPorta vs Tucker Kraft: Who Should You Start?

Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG across 9 games with the Detroit Lions, while Tucker Kraft posted 12.6 PPG in 8 appearances for the Green Bay Packers.

A 2.9-PPG gap gives Tucker Kraft 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. Sam LaPorta had 40 catches for 489 yards; Tucker Kraft posted 32 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: Sam LaPorta is off Week 8 and Tucker Kraft Week 5. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tucker Kraft (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tucker Kraft outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam LaPorta played 9 games in 2025 compared to Tucker Kraft's 8. That durability gap means Sam LaPorta contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tucker Kraft scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 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▾

StatLaPortaKraft

PPG (Half-PPR)9.712.6

Games Played98

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)87101

Receptions4032

Rec/Game4.44.0

Receiving Yards489489

Rec Yds/Game54.361.1

Receiving TDs36

Targets4944

Target Share/Game5.45.5

Age2525

Experience2 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 5

Summary

Tucker Kraft outscored Sam LaPorta by 2.9 PPG in 2025 (12.6 to 9.7). 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 Sam LaPorta or Tucker Kraft in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tucker Kraft has the edge at 12.6 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 Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tucker Kraft averaged 12.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Sam LaPorta or Tucker Kraft a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tucker Kraft outscored Sam LaPorta by 2.9 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.