Sam LaPorta
vs Rome Odunze

“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.”

“Rome Odunze has devolved into the “sacrificial X” for the Bears. He’s behind Luther Burden III and (shocker) Kalif Raymond in targets. I still have hope for him and Colston Loveland , but it’s quickly fading.”

“On top of that, Odunze has played 79.8% of his snaps out wide, where he will lock up with Mitchell and Woolen. Factoring all of that in, Odunze is a touchdown-dependent WR4/FLEX. Kalif Raymond Raymond still is not going away.”

“In the meantime, his departure and the terrible weather overshadowed an important development: Another week removed from a preseason calf strain, Rome Odunze was the Bears’ clear No. 1 WR against the Vikings. Odunze’s 81% route share was 10% higher than that of the next-highest player, Kalif Raymond .”

“Rome Odunze was on his way to a breakout season before he sustained a foot fracture. In Weeks 1-12, he was the WR21 in fantasy points per game despite dealing with a 68.3% catchable target rate (96th out of 127 qualifying receivers). During that stretch of games, among that sample of receivers, he was 21st in target share (22.4%), 20th in receiving yards per game (59.4), 27th in yards per route run (1.95), 25th in first-read share (27.2%), and 16th in first-downs per route run (0.107).”

“Rome Odunze (WR – CHI) After missing several games last year because of a foot injury, Rome Odunze is now dealing with another lower-body injury.”

“Rome Odunze (CHI) Odunze got off to one of the hottest starts last year.”

“Rome Odunze (CHI) – ADP 61.2 | WR27 Odunze got off to one of the hottest starts last year. The former Washington star was the WR3 over the first four weeks, averaging 19.9 PPR fantasy points per game.”

“Odunze fits this mold. While Burden dominates the short-to-intermediate areas, Odunze would win downfield and rule the red zone. This creates an elite WR1 ceiling for Odunze, locking him in as a highly efficient TD machine.”

“Rome Odunze is coming off a foot injury, but he did play in the playoffs.”

“Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is also dealing with some soft-tissue injuries that could hamper him, and Rome Odunze is coming off a foot injury (though he’s been cleared, it’s still worth noting).”

“Odunze remains a strong positive regression candidate tied to Caleb Williams , especially if the Bears’ passing game takes another step forward under HC Ben Johnson .”