Who Should I Start? George Kittle or Sam LaPorta


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

George Kittle News

George Kittle Trying to Return in Week 1

Thursday, April 30, 11:21 AM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told ESPN that tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is "shooting to return" Week 1 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. It's unclear if Kittle is actually on track to be ready for the season opener, but it's where he's aiming. Kittle suffered a clean tear of his Achilles, which is expected to allow him to return quicker than usual for someone with a torn Achilles. While Kittle is hoping to be ready for Week 1, there's still a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the 2026 season, which will make him a pretty risky and volatile high-end TE1 target in fantasy football drafts. If Kittle is not ready to go by Week 1, Jake Tonges will be in play as a streaming option at the position early on. The 32-year-old Kittle only played in 11 games last year due to injuries and finished as the TE13 in half-PPR scoring. When healthy, he's been one of the top TEs in the league, though, catching at least six touchdown passes in five straight seasons.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Sam LaPorta News

Sam LaPorta a Buy-Low Target Coming Off of Injury

Monday, April 13, 6:28 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) missed the second half of the 2025 season due to a herniated disc, giving managers a prime opportunity to buy low in dynasty leagues this offseason. The 25-year-old was averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game when healthy, contributing 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns through nine weeks. He has finished each of his three NFL seasons with at least 10.9 fantasy points per game, offering consistency as a mid-range TE1 in fantasy football. However, LaPorta's back injury has skewed his price tag in dynasty leagues, where he's being priced as more of a low-end TE1 in trade talks. For tight end-needy dynasty managers, this is the perfect opportunity to buy low on LaPorta and get a weekly contributor. Not only has he been productive in the past, but he'll continue to operate in a Lions offense that should be good for a long time. Jared Goff has shown that he can support big fantasy outputs from Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and LaPorta all at once. The Iowa product remains a productive weapon in a successful offense. He's one of the most intriguing buy-low options at the tight end position in dynasty leagues this offseason.


George Kittle vs. Sam LaPorta

Still trying to decide between Kittle and LaPorta? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that George Kittle is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Sam LaPorta is projected to score 0.0 points.