3 months agoDetroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta remains a top option for fantasy managers and bettors ahead of Saturday's playoff game against the Washington Commanders. The second-year tight end exploded down the stretch, finishing as the overall TE3 in half-PPR leagues. He had two touchdowns over his final three games, and he amassed 24 catches for 281 yards over his last four contests. The Commanders have performed in a peculiar fashion against tight ends this year, surrendering the third-fewest catches and fifth-fewest receiving yards to opposing tight ends in 2024. Most important, however, is that Washington surrendered the fifth-most touchdowns to the position. LaPorta has a very strong chance to feast, especially as he continues to carve out an even larger role near the end zone.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 months agoDetroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta played a large role in helping the Lions secure the NFC's top seed, both this weekend and over a greater stretch of games. In fact, over the final six weeks of the regular season, he ranked first among tight ends in fantasy points (tied with
Trey McBride). It was impressive to watch the 23-year-old overcome a tough start to 2024 and finish the season as one of fantasy football's most productive, impactful tight ends. He should remain in the mid-range TE1 tier for 2025, and this season should serve as a reminder to fantasy managers that LaPorta is a top fantasy option regardless of whether his role in the Detroit offense takes a little while to develop.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 months agoDetroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta played better as a rookie. But after a rough start to the 2024-25 campaign, the 23-year-old has finally put together a decent season, totaling 53 catches for 663 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also found the end zone in each of his previous two contests. With the Minnesota Vikings on tap for Week 18, LaPorta will look to find the end zone for the third time in as many weeks. Granted, he's not as safe as he was last season. Still, LaPorta deserves attention in any fantasy format, especially with increased involvement potentially on the horizon due to the absence of
David Montgomery (knee).
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 months agoDetroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta caught six of his eight targets for 64 yards and one touchdown during Monday's Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. LaPorta had a relatively quiet and inconsistent start to the season, but he has come on incredibly strong lately, posting double-digit fantasy points in each of his last five contests. In fact, he ranks as the overall TE1 since Week 13, scoring 6.6 points more than the second-highest tight end scorer,
Trey McBride. As long as the Lions' offense keeps surging, LaPorta should remain an integral contributor within the passing attack. His ability to command targets, catch passes, rack up yardage, and score touchdowns parallels the NFL's elite tight ends, like McBride,
Travis Kelce,
George Kittle, and
Brock Bowers. Fantasy managers should continue to view LaPorta as a mid-to-high TE1 option for Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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