Who Should I Start? Chig Okonkwo or Sam LaPorta

Saturday, September 27, 12:32 AM

Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo remains a consistent target for quarterback Cameron Ward heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans. Okonkwo has 12 targets and nine catches over his last two games, ranking as the overall TE9 in PPR leagues during that span. The Maryland product is both a reliable outlet for Ward and a strong candidate to pick up extra yards after the catch. He's less appealing around the goal line, as he hasn't scored a touchdown this season and has just six scores through 54 career games. Nevertheless, he has shown that he can have some low-end fantasy value even when he's not breaking into the end zone. That should remain the case this week against the Texans, who have ranked near the middle of the league with the 14th-most receptions and 13th-fewest fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Okonkwo is a top-18 fantasy tight end with top-12 upside.

Friday, September 26, 11:01 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has had a quiet start to his 2025 season, recording 13 catches for 138 yards and zero touchdowns on 17 targets so far. Things don't get any easier on paper for LaPorta in Week 4, as he'll face a Cleveland Browns defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards in the NFL so far this season. On the bright side for the 24-year-old, he still ranks third on the Lions in targets behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back Jahmyr Gibbs. If Cleveland's fierce pass rush forces Lions quarterback Jared Goff to get the ball out quickly, LaPorta could see a good number of short and intermediate-area pass attempts come his way. LaPorta remains a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 4, but it may be time for fantasy managers to begin adjusting preseason expectations.