Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Brenton Strange

Friday, September 26, 11:01 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has had a quiet start to his 2025 season, recording 13 catches for 138 yards and zero touchdowns on 17 targets so far. Things don't get any easier on paper for LaPorta in Week 4, as he'll face a Cleveland Browns defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards in the NFL so far this season. On the bright side for the 24-year-old, he still ranks third on the Lions in targets behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back Jahmyr Gibbs. If Cleveland's fierce pass rush forces Lions quarterback Jared Goff to get the ball out quickly, LaPorta could see a good number of short and intermediate-area pass attempts come his way. LaPorta remains a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 4, but it may be time for fantasy managers to begin adjusting preseason expectations.

Monday, September 15, 12:23 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange was drawing waiver-wire consideration after catching all four of his targets for a team-high 59 yards in the Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers. However, he took a step back in Sunday's 31-27 Week 2 loss on the road to the Cincinnati Bengals, catching three of five targets for just 17 yards. On the bright side, the 24-year-old was Jacksonville's clear TE1, playing 90 percent of the offensive snaps. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence leaned more on receivers Dyami Brown and Parker Washington in this one, but don't overlook the fact that Strange has nine targets through the first two weeks of the 2025 season. Strange will probably continue to have up-and-down weeks, but he's been on the field enough to be considered a borderline TE1/2 in fantasy as the Jags head into a Week 3 divisional matchup against the Houston Texans.