Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Colston Loveland

Saturday, October 18, 10:54 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has surged over the past two weeks, recording 10 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets after hauling in 16 catches for 177 yards and zero touchdowns on 21 targets in his first four games played. LaPorta and the Lions will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 in a game that looks like it could turn into a shootout. Tampa Bay currently ranks 23rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed (1,520). Detroit will be without both starting safeties and its top two corners, so the offense could be under immense pressure to keep putting points on the board. LaPorta profiles as a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 7 against the Buccaneers.

Saturday, October 18, 12:19 PM

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland could be on the verge of a breakout performance in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. It's been a quiet start to his rookie campaign, with five catches for 54 yards through five games. The tenth overall pick has opened the season behind veteran Cole Kmet, but Week 6 hinted at a gap closing between the two. Kmet played 52% of the snaps, while Loveland saw 43%, even as the Bears used two-tight end sets at their lowest rate of the year. Head coach Ben Johnson later said the formation usage was game-plan specific, but Loveland's increased role is a promising sign. The rookie now faces a Saints defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. While Loveland isn't startable yet, Week 7 could mark the beginning of his breakout as he continues to close the gap for TE1 duties in Chicago.