Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Josh Jacobs vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Josh Jacobs over Sam LaPorta in 2026.

Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG in 2025 to Sam LaPorta's 9.7, a 4.9 point per game edge. Jacobs also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 9, which steadies his weekly floor. Josh Jacobs is Tier 3 among running backs, Sam LaPorta is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Josh Jacobs (14.6 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Sam LaPorta (9.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Josh Jacobs

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

14.6 PPG9.7 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Jacobs: Tier 3 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Strong Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

Josh Jacobs vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Josh Jacobs (RB, Green Bay Packers) against Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG across 9 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Josh Jacobs has his bye in Week 11, Sam LaPorta in Week 6. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Josh Jacobs at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Sam LaPorta is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Sam LaPorta caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Jacobs vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Jacobs	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.6	9.7
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	219	87
Rushing Yards	929	0
Rush Yds/Game	61.9	0.0
Rushing TDs	13	0
Receptions	36	40
Receiving Yards	282	489
Targets	44	49
Total TDs	14	3
Age	28	25
Experience	6 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

Josh Jacobs outscored Sam LaPorta by 4.9 PPG in 2025 (14.6 to 9.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Jacobs or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 PPG compared to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 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 Josh Jacobs and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.9 points per game.

When are Josh Jacobs and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.