Sam LaPorta
vs Brian Thomas

“at Arizona Cardinals Currently the TE5 in points per game, Sam LaPorta is doing exactly what you hoped for when you drafted him, and it could be an even bigger week ahead. Both the Lions and the Cardinals are pass-heavy offenses, paired with poor defenses. Both teams also rank inside the top seven in plays per game.”

“The fantasy runout was mild, but LaPorta had the usage rates we look for in a TE1 . He ran a route on 82.9% of the Detroit dropbacks (TE5) and accounted for 20.5% of the team's targets (TE10). LaPorta ran 34 routes, tied for second at the position.”

“TE Sam LaPorta vs NO A vote of confidence from Andy for Sam LaPorta , who missed the majority of training camp with a hip injury after spending the offseason recovering from back surgery. When healthy, LaPorta is always a threat to score a TD or two, and the Saints defense’s weak spot is the TE position.”

“-Tom Strachan Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) Sam LaPorta has been in the NFL for three seasons and has been a consistent contributor since Day 1.”

“Sam LaPorta is healthier, but the Lions were bad last season, and the most important thing is that they might have a competent play-caller once again in Drew Petzing. The team has said they want to lean into what Jared Goff does best by using play-action passes heavily.”

“Round 8: Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) I wanted to add more tight ends given the TE-Premium setting, and Sam LaPorta is a great target.”

“Sam LaPorta has dealt with injuries in the last two seasons, to the point where I don’t want to target him this season. His rookie year breakout feels like ages ago.”

“Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) LaPorta is currently the TE8, 84th overall, a range one analyst would easily take him from over two tight ends ranked just ahead of him. He’s been fully cleared from a herniated disc heading into camp and isn’t expected to miss any time, news that should push his price up over the coming weeks.”

“Sam LaPorta was the counter-pick, a name being drafted at a discount after a frustrating, injury-interrupted season.”

“On Thin Ice: David Montgomery (98%), Blake Corum (87%), Jacory Croskey-Merritt (85%) WIDE RECEIVERS Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville (82% rostered) Brian Thomas is below league-average in snap share, total routes run, yards per target, yards per reception, yards after catch per reception, yards after contact per reception, explosive catch rate, and yards per target over expectation. The only statistic that he’s well above league average in is drop rate. Get in on the fun and drop him, too.”

“Thomas has become a spare part in the Jacksonville offense. His snap shares in the Jaguars’ first three games: 35.1%, 54.2% and 39.0%. Thomas hasn’t topped 40 yards in any of those games, and on Sunday he had 1-8-0 on one target.”

“Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAC) Brian Thomas had a majorly disappointing, injury-affected sophomore campaign, finishing as fantasy football WR43 overall and WR47 in PPG across 14 games. He averaged 8.2 half-PPR PPG on an 18% target share with 50.5 receiving yards/game, 3 total TDs, and just 7 red-zone targets.”

“Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated names Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. as one player to watch in training camp as a "swing factor" after a productive rookie season in 2024 before struggling last season. According to Breer, Jacksonville never considered "selling low" on Thomas after his sophomore slump, and Thomas has had a "constant presence" at the team's facility this offseason and is spending as much time as possible with QB Trevor Lawrence.”

“It's hard to trust Brian Thomas Jr. as a WR2 in PPR leagues. In situations where Meyers was on the field for the Jaguars last season, Thomas's target share was third on the team at under 17%, and he only caught 18 out of 30 targets for 287 yards and scored once.”

“As a rookie, Thomas had 1,292 yards, 87 receptions and 10 touchdowns. This led to a WR4 finish on the season and a second-round pick in redraft leagues the following season. Thomas then repaid ambitious fantasy managers with a WR44 performance in points per game in 2025.”

“Thomas, 23, posted 1,282 receiving yards as a rookie but saw his production drop significantly the following season. That was partially due to a few injuries that sidelined him for three games and lingered into the offseason.”

“Jakobi Meyers feels Thomas's football IQ is something that gets overlooked in his game, and believes the longer he's around the game and in his offense, the more he's going to continue to get better and better.”