Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Sam LaPorta

Monday, June 16, 12:06 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that contract talks were "still fluid." "Nothing has been resolved yet. It's still an ongoing situation." After a career year in 2024 in which Smith set franchise records for the tight end position, he's angling for an extension heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 and was a no-show at mandatory minicamp as a result. Miami would like to retain the 29-year-old, but if the two sides can't get something done before the start of the regular season this fall, it's possible that he'll be traded. Smith finished last year with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, ironically with Miami's offense taking a step back overall. If he remains in South Beach this year, Smith should remain a big part of the offense, but fantasy managers should probably expect a step back as a midrange TE1.

Thursday, June 5, 6:21 PM

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta has been a standout during voluntary organized team activities this offseason. Campbell also praised plenty of other Lions players, but LaPorta is a notable one after he took a step back in Year 2 in 2024 with a 60-726-7 line in 16 regular-season starts. As a Pro Bowler in his rookie campaign, the 24-year-old went for 86 receptions on 120 targets for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (14 starts). The former second-rounder (34th overall) in 2023 out of Iowa finished the year better, but there are just a lot of mouths to feed in Detroit's offense. The Lions will be run by new offensive coordinator John Morton in 2025, but LaPorta should still be a go-to red zone target for quarterback Jared Goff as a high-end TE1.