Sam LaPorta 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 25
- Height / weight
- 6'3", 245 lb
- Experience
- 4th season
- Drafted
- 2023 R2, #34
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 11.5
- Pos rank
- TE12
- Rostered
- 98%
Week 4 at Panthers, Sun Oct 4, 8:20 PM ET 14th vs. TEs, neutral
Sam LaPorta Rest-of-Season Outlook
Efficient TE1 every week
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE27 last season at 11.9 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE12 at 11.5 PPR points per game, against 11.9 over 9 games last season (TE27). The role is producing the same fantasy output two years running.
Last season he ranked 32nd of 81 in route participation (43.8%), 33rd of 82 in target share (8.9%) and 7th of 82 in efficiency (1.80 yards per route run). His points come from his efficiency. Target share is the soft spot. Jared Goff is his quarterback.
The job is secure: he's the listed starter and one of the best at his position. The main risk is health, and Brock Wright is next on the depth chart if he misses time.
The next favorable matchup is the Cardinals in Week 5 (6th against TEs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
LaPorta's 2025 was a tale of missed time: nine games, a TE23 finish, and just 66.9 fantasy points after he ranked TE6 (114.6) in 2024 and TE5 (153.3) as a rookie. The volume cratered with the absence, his target share sliding to 8.9 percent and WOPR to 0.186 from 15.9 percent and 0.355 the year prior. The efficiency, though, was loud: a position-best 0.743 EPA per play, a 67.3 percent success rate, 81.6 percent catch rate, and zero drops on 40 catches.
When healthy, LaPorta is a locked-in starter. He played a 90.7 percent snap share when active, and Detroit funnels red-zone work his way, shown by 20 red-zone targets and seven scores in 2024. The 12.22 yards per reception and 6.85 yards after the catch confirm the playmaking remains. At 24 with three years of TE5-or-better-rate production, the only real risk is health. Draft him as a weekly TE1 with top-five upside the moment he is back to a full slate.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 5.7
- Drop rate
- 0.0%
- Red-zone targets
- 6
- Route participation
- 43.8%
- YAC per reception
- 6.8
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft spotThe Cardinals in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 CAR, 14thWk 5 ARI, 6thWk 7 GB, 22ndWk 8 MIN, 25th
- Strong efficiency1.80 yards per route run, 7th of 82 TEs in 2025.
Risk
- HealthHis role is secure; if he misses time, Brock Wright is next on the depth chart.
- A tough matchupThe Vikings in Week 8 (25th) is among the stingiest defenses against TEs.
All Sam LaPorta stats & analysis
TEs like Sam LaPorta
Sam LaPorta Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Sam LaPorta's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Sam LaPorta projects as an efficient TE1 every week for the rest of the 2026 season: a weekly starter in TE-premium, 12-team and 10-team leagues. His efficiency (1.80 yards per route run, 7th of 82 TEs in 2025) supports that. His target share (8.9% target share, 33rd of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Sam LaPorta's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Sam LaPorta is the TE12 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in TE1 territory, a weekly starter in 12-team leagues.
What is Sam LaPorta's projected role going forward?
Sam LaPorta is the listed starting TE, with Brock Wright next on the depth chart. Nothing on the chart threatens the job, so the role is his to lose on performance.
Will Sam LaPorta get more targets?
Sam LaPorta's targets are holding steady: 5.5 a game over his last two games against 6.3 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is Sam LaPorta's fantasy football upside?
Sam LaPorta's upside: his ceiling this season is 17.2 PPR points (Week 2, TE9), his efficiency (1.80 yards per route run, 7th of 82 TEs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on and the Cardinals in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.
What could hurt Sam LaPorta's fantasy value?
Sam LaPorta's risks: Brock Wright is next on the depth chart if he is benched or hurt, his target share (8.9% target share, 33rd of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring and the Vikings in Week 8 is a tough matchup. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Sam LaPorta's remaining fantasy schedule?
About average: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 2 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.