Who Should I Start? Jonathan Taylor or Sam LaPorta

Monday, September 8, 3:10 PM

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that running back Jonathan Taylor (neck) is "good" after he took an awkward hit to his neck area in Sunday's Week 1 blowout win over the Miami Dolphins, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Steichen added that Taylor could have gone back into the game, but with the Colts up big in the second half, it wasn't worth it. The Colts also took the opportunity to get an extended look at rookie DJ Giddens with Tyler Goodson (elbow) inactive. Taylor had 18 carries for 71 yards and caught all three of his targets for 27 yards in the 33-8 win before departing and not returning. It was a bummer to see quarterback Daniel Jones fall into the end zone at the goal line instead of Taylor, but all in all, it was a plus for JT's fantasy managers to see Indy's offense humming in Week 1. Taylor should be able to play in Week 2, albeit against a much stouter Denver Broncos defense.

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.