Who Should I Start? George Kittle or Sam LaPorta

Saturday, August 16, 3:55 PM

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is expected to make his preseason debut in the team's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran is entering his ninth professional season at 31 years old after a stellar 2024 campaign in which he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the league's best tight ends. Kittle, considered a stalwart and the heart of the team, will look to get some valuable reps ahead of the regular season.

Friday, September 5, 5:38 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta saw a sizable drop in targets, catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns from his rookie campaign in 2023 to his sophomore season in 2024. However, LaPorta battled injuries early in the year and was much better down the stretch, earning at least six targets in each of Detroit's final seven games of the season. LaPorta gets a matchup with the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, whose defense tied for the sixth-fewest touchdowns allowed to tight ends (four) in 2024. The 24-year-old has recorded 16 catches for 185 yards and one score in four career games against Green Bay. Given that the Packers project to have a fearsome pass rush, the Lions may be forced to rely on play-action and passes to the short and intermediate areas of the field. That would likely benefit LaPorta, who is battling with deep-threat wide receiver Jameson Williams for the number two target role in Detroit behind All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. LaPorta is a must-start fantasy TE1 in Week 1.