Sam LaPorta vs DK Metcalf

“Most playoff receiving yards ever by a rookie TE (193), passing Sam LaPorta”

“Round 9: Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) Since the FLEX spot allows for tight ends, I made a dart-throw pick on Sam LaPorta.”

“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.”

“From Weeks 1-10, including a Week 8 bye week, LaPorta was the TE8 in PPR leagues. He averaged 11.9 fantasy points per game, catching 40 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns before the injury. In that span, he had an 18.6% target share, which was second on the team behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (31.2%).”

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

“This brings us to TE Sam LaPorta . Historically, he had been one of those middle-round TEs that Jason was avoiding like the plague. But now that he has been slipping to rounds 9-10, he’s an excellent pick when taking opportunity/cost into consideration.”

“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.”

“LaPorta only appeared in nine games last season due to a herniated disc. Before his injury, LaPorta had received 18.6% of Detroit's targets (TE9) and averaged 2.0 yards per route run (TE6).”

“Reportedly, LaPorta is trending in the right direction after suffering a season-ending back injury last year. The former Iowa star was playing well before getting hurt, averaging 7.4 non-PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he scored 11.5 or more fantasy points in three of his final five games last season.”

“LaPorta landed on the opposite end of the spectrum. While still ranked inside Tier 2, concerns about target competition and draft cost pushed him down the board. For managers who miss out on the top tier, the recommendation was often to bypass LaPorta's price tag and continue waiting for value later.”

“He turns 29 in December, and Pittsburgh can get out of his deal next offseason for an $18 million dead cap hit. This time next year, we could be looking at Metcalf coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons as a potential free agent entering his age-30 season.”

“His first year in Pittsburgh was one to forget for DK Metcalf. The Steelers traded a second-round pick to acquire his services and handed him a four-year, $132 million extension in the process. Instead, Metcalf ended up with career lows in targets (99) and receiving yards (850).”

“Bernard likely starts the 2026 season third on the wide receiver depth chart, behind DK Metcalf and newcomer Michael Pittman Jr. in Pittsburgh, though there is a path to targets for the rookie early on.”

“While DK Metcalf finished last year as the WR26, averaging 12.5 PPR fantasy points per game, fantasy players couldn't trust him in their lineups. The veteran scored single-digit fantasy points in 40% of his games, including five of the final eight contests. Furthermore, the Steelers vastly improved their wide receiver room this offseason, adding Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard.”

“DK Metcalf has established himself as the number one option in the Steelers offense and is the only wide receiver of note to have already played with Aaron Rodgers. Last season, Metcalf became a yards after the catch monster, generating 7.2 YAC per reception, the fourth-most among wide receivers with 50+ targets, a massive increase from his career average of 4.25 YAC.”

“Don't be surprised if Metcalf gets back to his 2023 form, when he racked up 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns.”

“With Aaron Rodgers reunited with his former Packers head coach, I think he's going to play a lot better this year, especially since it's his last season in the NFL. That's likely to mean a bounce-back season for Metcalf.”

“DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats last season (WR24). Metcalf recorded his lowest receiving yards per game (56.7) since his rookie year.”

“Metcalf led the team with six receiving touchdowns, but only three came from throws inside the red zone, despite his size advantage down there. If McCarthy's scheme features him more in that area and he can jump to double-digit touchdowns, Metcalf has a chance to be a top-18 fantasy wideout once again.”

“The Steelers drew one of the hardest schedules against opposing pass defenses. Now, fantasy managers are trying to project target distribution between offseason addition Michael Pittman, DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and the rest of the offense without any guarantee that the quarterback play will even be efficient enough to support multiple fantasy-relevant pass catchers.”

“Bernard is talented, though, and will be a solid third option behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr, but it's still a drop off from what the team could have had in Lemon.”

“The Steelers had basically nothing behind Metcalf last season. Running back Kenneth Gainwell led the team in receptions (73), and Metcalf was the only receiver to top 400 yards.”