Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Brenton Strange

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.

Sunday, May 25, 1:25 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange said on the O-Zone Podcast that he's ready to step into a bigger role with Even Engram now longer in town. "I'm definitely ready for it," Strange said. "I have a lot of confidence in myself and I've always had a lot of confidence in myself. I feel like I'm always one of the best players on the field. I feel like that's the mentality I bring." In 17 games (10 starts) last year, Strange finished third on the team with 40 catches and second with 411 receiving yards while scoring twice. Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long and Quintin Morris, who are behind Strange on the TE depth chart, had 31 combined receptions in 2024. Strange certainly has opportunity, but he's unlikely to be better than the third target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the passing attack when he's not blocking. At best, consider Strange a TE2 with upside in fantasy.