Sam LaPorta vs Tucker Kraft

“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.”

“Tucker Kraft is expected to be ready for Week 1. Let’s not forget how dominant he was before getting injured, showing incredible upside.”

“But I also like midrange TE1s such as Tucker Kraft and Kyle Pitts . And the TE position is so deep that you can spend down and still come away with George Kittle or Travis Kelce , who were considered elites at the position not long ago.”

“The impending free agent finished second among all TEs in YAC/catch – trailing only Tucker Kraft.”

“Players Trey McBride, Jake Ferguson, Tucker Kraft, and AJ Barner all made significant jumps in their second season over the past three years.”

“Last year, Tucker Kraft averaged the second most fantasy points per game at 12.7”

“With only Tucker Kraft , Jayden Reed , and second-year receiver Matthew Golden , opportunities should be endless”

“Tucker Kraft is a personal favorite of mine. Before his ACL tear last season, he was dominating the tight end position. In the eighth round in a league where the FLEX position can be used for a tight end, a duo of Warren and Kraft could be excellent.”

“If Green Bay slowly eases him in, I wouldn’t be shocked, but Kraft could easily be a monster value at the tight end position in 2026 if he comes roaring back at 100% earlier than we anticipate.”

“Last year, before losing the rest of his season to a torn ACL (Week 9), Tucker Kraft was the TE1 in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 1-8, among 33 qualifying tight ends, Kraft ranked seventh in target share (18.3%), first in receiving yards per game (67), second in yards per route run (2.71), seventh in first-read share (21.6%), and second in first downs per route run (0.121, per Fantasy Points Data). Kraft was also a YAC gawd, leading all tight ends in yards after the catch per reception and missed tackles forced per reception.”

“It should be noted, though, that Watson only had 8 targets last season in the two games both he and Tucker Kraft played, so it’s not a clean copy-and-paste to 2026.”

“But Tucker Kraft is an elite talent who is getting unduly pushed down, and his value compared to Warren’s value makes Warren a less interesting click, for me.”

“At the time of his injury, Kraft ranked ninth in catches, third in yards, and second in touchdowns, with a 30/469/6 line. He did this while having a bye week, and his 67 yards per game led the position.”