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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Sam LaPorta vs Tee HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Tee Higgins over Sam LaPorta in 2026.

Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG in 2025 to Sam LaPorta's 9.7, a 2.4 point per game edge. Higgins also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 9, which steadies his weekly floor. Tee Higgins is Tier 3 among wide receivers, Sam LaPorta is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Tee Higgins (12.1 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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TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRCincinnati Bengals#13PPG LEADER

Tee Higgins

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

846

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Sam LaPorta

Tee Higgins

Head to Head

9.7 PPG12.1 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Tee Higgins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #13 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR in most league formats.

Sam LaPorta vs Tee Higgins: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) against Tee Higgins (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG in 2025 over 9 games, while Tee Higgins posted 12.1 PPG across 15 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.

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: Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tee Higgins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tee Higgins outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tee Higgins played 15 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Tee Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tee Higgins scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tee Higgins saw 98 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam LaPorta vs Tee Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam LaPorta	Tee Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.7	12.1
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	182
Receptions	40	59
Rec/Game	4.4	3.9
Receiving Yards	489	846
Rec Yds/Game	54.3	56.4
Receiving TDs	3	11
Targets	49	98
Target Share/Game	5.4	6.5
Age	25	27
Experience	2 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

12.1 PPG for Tee Higgins versus 9.7 for Sam LaPorta in 2025. The baseline favors Tee Higgins, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Sam LaPorta or Tee Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 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 Sam LaPorta and Tee Higgins average in 2025?▾

Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

Do Sam LaPorta and Tee Higgins share a bye week?▾

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