Sam LaPorta
vs Christian Watson

“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.”

“Harold Fannin sits at TE6, and Kyle Pitts and Sam LaPorta are essentially tied for TE7 and TE8, with Pitts holding just a slight edge on the chart. Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) vs. Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) In a live dynasty startup draft one of our analysts is currently participating in, Pitts came off the board about eight picks before their own selection, leading them to take LaPorta in the same round instead.”

“LaPorta dominated from the outside as one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, and while he's fallen back to earth a bit from the highs of his rookie campaign, he's still very good.”

“Knowing the current situation of Christian Watson , would you trade him away straight up for Matthew Golden ? – natedawg205 Answer: Oh look, another BOAT question, although this time we’re going from the 25-meter yacht to…well, a 20-meter one. The Ballers have waxed lyrical about both of these players this past week, and although Andy may have recommended trading Christian Watson away, I sure as heck would not advise packing him off in return for his teammate, even if Golden has seen more looks from Jordan Love on the year. Watson has more receptions (17-15), more yards (284-253), and most importantly…more TDs (4-1).”

“Christian Watson scored four TDs in three weeks, and a dip in TDs would be detrimental to Watson’s fantasy production.”

“Christian Watson caught 7 of 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown — Green Bay’s opening score of the game. His share of the offense fell sharply week over week, but that’s because Matthew Golden’s target count exploded and the team threw 20 more times than last week. Target share fell sharply (33.3% → 18.9% adjusted) even though his raw target count only dropped by one (11 → 10).”

“Christian Watson (TRUST) Watson has opened the season with games of 6-147-2 (8 targets) and 4-41-1 (11 targets). Watson has played 82.6% and 93.8% of the dropbacks in the first two games, with target shares of 20% and 37.9%. With Jayden Reed going down last week, this passing tree became more concentrated.”

“Christian Watson – 11 targets, 4 rec Watson has averaged just 4.9 targets/game over his career and played just 12 games per season over his first four seasons. At his current rate, he’s on pace for 162 targets in 17 games. Even if he does play the full allotment of games, that target total is probably a bit unrealistic, though he is clearly Green Bay’s alpha WR through two games.”

“Matthew Golden – 12 targets, 6 rec Christian Watson – 8 targets, 6 rec Jayden Reed – 7 targets, 3 rec Christian Watson and his two TDs stole the show, but Golden’s team-high 12 targets need to be noted. Last year’s first-round pick saw just 44 targets as a rookie, and never more than six in a single game. It is also worth mentioning slot WR Jayden Reed , whose seven targets were more than he saw in any game during his injury-plagued 2025 season.”

“Watson played 77.4% of the snaps, ran 81.4% of the routes, and had a 19% target share. Second-year wideout Golden had 85.5% of the snaps, ran 88.4% of the routes, and had a 28.6% target share. Reed was last with 58.1% of the snaps, ran 67.4% of the routes, and had a 16.7% target share.”

“Christian Watson finished second on the team in targets behind Matthew Golden but finished with a 6/147/2 split on the heels of an 81-yard touchdown reception where he broke away from Vikings defenders. With the Packers’ run game being non-existent, expect more pass-heavy scripts from Watson and Co. moving forward. Stud:”

“Christian Watson got the bag this offseason and should be considered the clear WR1 for the Green Bay Packers. Watson deserved the payday as he proved that he can handle this role last year. Last season, in Weeks 8-18, he was the WR21 in fantasy points per game with an 18.2% target share, 61.1 receiving yards per game, 2.67 yards per route run, a 23.9% first-read share, and 0.122 first downs per route run.”

“Christian Watson (WR – GB) Christian Watson earned a new contract this offseason and should enter 2026 as the Packers’ clear WR1 after proving last year that he could handle the role.”

“Last season, Watson was the WR15 on a points-per-game basis among wide receivers with at least nine games played, averaging 13.2 PPR fantasy points per contest despite averaging only 5.5 targets per outing. Unfortunately, the former North Dakota State star only played in 10 games after missing the first seven weeks recovering from a torn ACL.”