Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Cedric Tillman

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.

Friday, September 5, 9:57 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman will open up the 2025 season with a home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Tillman had a very productive three-game stretch from Weeks 7 through 9 of the 2024 season before a concussion in Week 12 ended his year early. The third-year wide receiver is fully recovered and is ready to slot in as the team's No. 2 wideout opposite Jerry Jeudy this year. Tillman sets up as a solid flex option in fantasy as a dart throw in deeper leagues heading into the opening weekend of NFL action.