Who Should I Start? Kyle Pitts or Sam LaPorta

Monday, January 6, 4:20 AM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts caught two passes for 15 yards and no scores in Sunday's 44-38 overtime loss to the Panthers. Even though Darnell Mooney (shoulder) missed the contest and Michael Penix Jr. tallied 38 pass attempts, Pitts would garner only three targets in the game. It puts an end to another disappointing season for the former first-round draft pick who put up over 1,000 yards receiving in his rookie season back in 2021, but no more than 667 in any season since then including this year's total of 602. The 24-year-old managed four scores on the year, but finishes as a mid-range TE2 for fantasy. Perhaps next season he and Penix Jr. can develop some chemistry, but it seems we've seen the peak already for the 6-foot-6 tight end.

Monday, January 6, 1:09 AM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta played a large role in helping the Lions secure the NFC's top seed, both this weekend and over a greater stretch of games. In fact, over the final six weeks of the regular season, he ranked first among tight ends in fantasy points (tied with Trey McBride). It was impressive to watch the 23-year-old overcome a tough start to 2024 and finish the season as one of fantasy football's most productive, impactful tight ends. He should remain in the mid-range TE1 tier for 2025, and this season should serve as a reminder to fantasy managers that LaPorta is a top fantasy option regardless of whether his role in the Detroit offense takes a little while to develop.