Player news tracker

Sam LaPorta fantasy football news and podcast insights

Source-backed player signal from monitored fantasy football podcasts, shows, videos, articles, and social posts.

TEDET40 insightsLatest Jul 27, 2026

34

Positive signals

4

Negative signals

12

Sources

Jul 27, 2026

Latest update

PositiveValueJul 27, 2026Ian Hartitz

Ian Hartitzon X

Top-12 tight ends in fantasy football ADP and where Vegas has their offenses ranked in regular-season team implied scoring: TE1: Brock Bowers (Raiders rank 28th) TE2: Trey McBride (31st) TE3: Colston Loveland (10th) TE4: Tyler Warren (16th) TE5: Tucker Kraft (8th) TE6: Sam LaPorta (1st) TE7: Harold Fannin (30th) TE8: Kyle Pitts (24th) TE9: George Kittle (7th) TE10: Travis Kelce (11th) TE11: Mark Andrews (3rd) TE12: Dalton Kincaid (6th)

Top-12 tight ends in fantasy football ADP and where Vegas has their offenses ranked in regular-season team implied scoring: TE1: Brock Bowers (Raiders rank 28th) TE2: Trey McBride (31st) TE3: Colston Loveland (10th) TE4: Tyler Warren (16th) TE5: Tucker Kraft (8th) TE6: Sam LaPorta (1st) TE7: Harold Fannin (30th) TE8: Kyle Pitts (24th) TE9: George Kittle (7th) TE10: Travis Kelce (11th) TE11: Mark Andrews (3rd) TE12: Dalton Kincaid (6th)

Insight page Source View post on X

PositiveNewsJul 21, 2026Ian Hartitz

Ian Hartitzon X

Three of fantasy football's consensus top-10 tight ends had some pretty non-ideal surgeries this offseason: -Tucker Kraft (ACL + meniscus trim/minor LCL) -Sam LaPorta (herniated disc/back) -George Kittle (Achilles)

Three of fantasy football's consensus top-10 tight ends had some pretty non-ideal surgeries this offseason: -Tucker Kraft (ACL + meniscus trim/minor LCL) -Sam LaPorta (herniated disc/back) -George Kittle (Achilles)

Insight page Source View post on X

PositiveNewsJul 20, 2026SleeperNFL

.@TheDan_Parr ranks his Top Fantasy TEs for the 2026 season: 1 - Brock Bowers 2 - Colston Loveland 😳 3 - Trey McBride 4 - Tyler Warren 5 - Tucker Kraft 6 - Sam LaPorta 7 - Kyle Pitts 8 - Harold Fannin Jr. 9 - George Kittle 10 - Travis Kelce 11 - Jake Ferguson 12 - Isaiah Likely

.@TheDan_Parr ranks his Top Fantasy TEs for the 2026 season: 1 - Brock Bowers 2 - Colston Loveland 😳 3 - Trey McBride 4 - Tyler Warren 5 - Tucker Kraft 6 - Sam LaPorta 7 - Kyle Pitts 8 - Harold Fannin Jr. 9 - George Kittle 10 - Travis Kelce 11 - Jake Ferguson 12 - Isaiah Likely

Insight page Source View post on X

PositiveValueJul 19, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Sam LaPorta ranks TE7/TE8 on the dynasty chart, essentially tied with Kyle Pitts. Despite Pitts being the stated preference in a direct choice, landing LaPorta as the last name in the true top-eight tight end tier was considered a win. LaPorta already has an elite season on his resume, plays in a strong offense with a good quarterback, and is still just 25 years old, giving him both a higher floor and a longer runway than the names just behind him like Kincaid at TE9.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 18, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

One of the most efficient and athletic tight ends in the league with contingent value if injuries occur to top receivers, and could see increased volume if coaching changes impact target distribution like last season before Dan Campbell took over play calling.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeValueJul 18, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

ESPN ADP of 68 is 20 spots ahead of expert consensus ranking of 88, forcing drafters to pay up almost two full rounds despite competing with Amon Ross, Hank Brown, Jamison Williams, Jameer Gibbs, and Isaiah Pacheco for targets.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveUsageJul 18, 2026Matt Harmon

Sam LaPorta is a key offensive weapon in Detroit's passing game, though the Lions use two tight end sets on only about 15% of their pass plays.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveDepth ChartJul 18, 2026Matt Harmon

Sam LaPorta is the third target in the Lions passing game, behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeInjuryJul 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

LaPorta suffered a knee injury during his rookie season at Ford Field when his foot appeared to get caught in the stadium's artificial turf; he did not miss time despite the injury but was limited during Detroit's playoff run. The incident prompted him to join the NFLPA's call for natural grass fields across all NFL stadiums, posting on Instagram: 'WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THIS TOO' in response to the World Cup's use of natural grass at stadiums that typically host NFL games on artificial surfaces.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 17, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

LaPorta offers excellent value at $4.00-$7 in auctions despite a Fantasy Life value of $14, providing significant savings compared to premium tight ends while maintaining top-10 upside.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveNewsJul 17, 2026SleeperNFL

.@TheDan_Parr gives his fantasy TE rankings for the 2026 season: 1. Brock Bowers 2. Colston Loveland 3. Trey McBride 4. Tyler Warren 5. Tucker Kraft -- 6. Sam LaPorta 7. Kyle Pitts 8. Harold Fannin Jr. 9. George Kittle 10. Travis Kelce -- 11. Jake Ferguson 12. Isaiah Likely

.@TheDan_Parr gives his fantasy TE rankings for the 2026 season: 1. Brock Bowers 2. Colston Loveland 3. Trey McBride 4. Tyler Warren 5. Tucker Kraft -- 6. Sam LaPorta 7. Kyle Pitts 8. Harold Fannin Jr. 9. George Kittle 10. Travis Kelce -- 11. Jake Ferguson 12. Isaiah Likely

Insight page Source View post on X

PositiveProjectionJul 16, 2026Fantasy Football Today

Laporta has been tight end 3, 9, and 7 in his three seasons and is currently being drafted around 95th overall (tight end 6-7). He's mentioned as a potential leap candidate but came into 2025 hurt and had a slow start before closing strong.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 16, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Sam Laporta is part of the Lions' pass-heavy offense; people don't love him but he's in a situation with lots of throwing to go around.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 16, 2026FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

LaPorta is selected as the tight end in one draft team.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 16, 2026FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Laporta is a value at ECR 84 in round seven; in weeks 5-10 when healthy, he was the second leading target getter with a 20% target share behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, projecting to 80-100 catches and 1,000 yards if healthy.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeInjuryJul 16, 2026NFL.com News

Ranked Tier 2 despite having Tier 1 upside if he stays healthy. LaPorta is coming off back surgery for a herniated disc and is now two seasons removed from his Pro Bowl rookie campaign, which prompted the conservative ranking.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeInjuryJul 15, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Coming back from a back injury, which is cited as a reason he's being ranked lower than Mike Evans on ESPN despite being a tight end in a league where tight ends are generally overvalued.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 15, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Sam Laporta finished as tight end one in his rookie year despite landing in a crowded Lions offense with multiple pass-catchers, providing a comparable path for Sadiq Usman despite the Jets' worse situation.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 15, 2026FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Boggs prefers Sam Laporta over George Kittle as a tight end option, rating him more favorably despite both coming off injuries.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 14, 2026NFL: The Insiders

Sam Laporta remains a key part of the Lions' high-powered offense, which was fourth in points per game last season and could reach number one with an improved offensive line.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 14, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Preferred over Javante Williams at current ADP, offering better value in startup drafts.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeValueJul 14, 2026FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Derek Brown avoids the middle-class of tight ends including Sam Laporta, preferring to either get elite options early or punt to late-round targets.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 14, 2026Fantasy Points Fantasy Football

Sam LaPorta is overpriced relative to his target share outlook, with historical data showing Jameson Williams consistently receives more targets, and LaPorta now dealing with a back injury.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveDepth ChartJul 13, 2026Fantasy Football Advice

LaPorta was selected by another team in the mock draft, affecting the available tight end options.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 13, 2026Matt Waldman

LaPorta is being underrated at his current ADP around 7th among tight ends; he was TE1 as a rookie and seventh in points per game last year before injury, and his herniated disc repair is considered on the less worrisome end of back surgery outcomes.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 13, 2026Matt Waldman

LaPorta's production suffered due to injury and being in an offense with coordinator Drew Petzing, but his underperformance relative to Trey McBride is partly due to Detroit's more established wide receiver pecking order and superior quarterback play spreading the ball around more.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 13, 2026BDGE Fantasy Football

Sam LaPorta is returning as one of Matthew Stafford's elite weapons in Detroit's passing attack that will help Stafford produce top-tier quarterback numbers.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveInjuryJul 13, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Sam Laporta was on IR early in the season, contributing to a team's injury-plagued situation that justified trading up in the draft.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 11, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Injury last season led to Jamison Williams taking on a larger offensive role; coordinator change with Drew Petzing may affect how both players are deployed this season.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 10, 2026BDGE Fantasy Football

Sam Laaporta is a boring veteran who will likely drop to tight end 8-10 in drafts but provides reliable production and can be set-and-forget in lineups.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 10, 2026BDGE Fantasy Football

Sam Laaporta is a reliable tight end who will be the clear number two in the Lions passing game behind Amon-Ra St. Brown; he should be fully healthy by training camp with no residual effects from his back injury.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 10, 2026SleeperNFL

NFL coaches/execs/scouts rank their Top 10 TEs: 1) Brock Bowers 2) Trey McBride 3) George Kittle 4) Sam LaPorta 5) Tyler Warren 6) Tucker Kraft 7) Colston Loveland 8) Kyle Pitts 9) Mark Andrews 10) Travis Kelce (@JFowlerESPN)

NFL coaches/execs/scouts rank their Top 10 TEs: 1) Brock Bowers 2) Trey McBride 3) George Kittle 4) Sam LaPorta 5) Tyler Warren 6) Tucker Kraft 7) Colston Loveland 8) Kyle Pitts 9) Mark Andrews 10) Travis Kelce (@JFowlerESPN)

Insight page Source View post on X

PositiveValueJul 9, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Sam LaPorta (TE7, ADP 96.6) typically lasts until the eighth round despite already proving he can finish among fantasy's elite tight ends. Injuries limited him last season, but when healthy he's a favorite red-zone weapon for Jared Goff and a legitimate difference-maker at a thin fantasy position. His late-round availability allows you to complete the Detroit stack with Goff several rounds later.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 8, 2026Fantasy Football Today

If LaPorta performs like he did in his rookie season or takes a step forward, it will hurt Jamison Williams' production, indicating LaPorta is expected to be a significant factor in the Lions' passing game and a key target for Jared Goff, supporting his value as a tight end option.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 7, 2026NFL: The Insiders

Sam Laporta is getting overlooked in 2026; he had a career-high in receiving yards per game last season and has the third-most touchdowns at the tight end position since entering the NFL. Under new coordinator Drew Petzing, who dialed up tight end usage significantly in Arizona, Laporta is tied to a really good Lions offense that will score a lot of points. He is positioned as probably the top red zone target for Detroit.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 7, 2026FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Sam Laporta is selected as a second tight end in the draft, allowing the analyst to push running back selection further out.

Insight page Source Original

NegativeBustJul 4, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Sam Laporta is ranked tight end 6 in redraft and tight end 7 in Dynasty, but the source identifies him as a bust pick due to limited opportunity in the Detroit Lions offense despite his talent. His touchdown rate has declined sharply from 10 in his rookie season to 7 in year two and 3 last year (9 games). The offense has evolved with growing roles for Jameer Gibbs, Jameson Williams (91 targets in year two, 102 last year), and Isaac Tesla carving out red zone work. The source argues there's a sharp decline in tight end tiers after Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, with Colston Loveland and Warren in a second tier of upside guys, and Laporta right at the top of that sharp decline. The source believes Isaiah Likely has a better chance to finish as a top-3 tight end than Laporta. The redraft price is the primary concern; at his ADP, the opportunity cost is not worth it if he finishes as tight end 6, since the difference between tight end 6 and tight end 16 is negligible most years.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveRoleJul 3, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Not the biggest tight end but Ben Johnson masks that in Detroit's offense with cheat motions and stacking opportunities, providing comparable context for Chigo Okonkwo's potential.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveProjectionJul 3, 2026Davis Mattek

LaPorta has significant yardage upside in the Lions offense, which has money to be made given Jared Goff's consistent 4,100+ passing yard seasons.

Insight page Source Original

PositiveValueJul 3, 2026Davis Mattek

Sam LaPorta has risen in ADP over the last month compared to Kyle Pitts, and there is significant upside in the Lions offense with Jared Goff's consistent passing yards.

Insight page Source Original