Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.7 PPG to Darren Waller's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam LaPorta is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam LaPorta and Darren Waller are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEDetroit Lions#7PPG LEADER

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

9.6 PPG9.7 PPG

8 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Sam LaPorta at 44%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darren Waller vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Darren Waller finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG over 8 games with the Miami Dolphins, while Sam LaPorta clocked in at 9.7 across 9 appearances for the Detroit Lions. A 0.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Sam LaPorta is the volume tight end in this matchup with 40 receptions for 489 yards, while Darren Waller profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (6 scores on 24 catches). In weeks where Darren Waller finds the end zone he out-scores Sam LaPorta, but the floor gap is real.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Sam LaPorta outscored Darren Waller by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam LaPorta played 9 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Sam LaPorta contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Sam LaPorta saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Sam LaPorta is 8 years younger than Darren Waller (25 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	9.7
Games Played	8	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	87
Receptions	24	40
Rec/Game	3.0	4.4
Receiving Yards	283	489
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	54.3
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	34	49
Target Share/Game	4.3	5.4
Age	33	25
Experience	10 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam LaPorta at 9.7 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Darren Waller's 9.6. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darren Waller or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam LaPorta has the edge at 9.7 PPG compared to Darren Waller's 9.6 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Darren Waller and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

Do Darren Waller and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Darren Waller and Sam LaPorta share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Darren Waller or Sam LaPorta a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Sam LaPorta outscored Darren Waller by 0.1 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.