Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Colston Loveland

Monday, October 13, 11:03 AM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta hauled in a touchdown catch for the second straight week in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, finishing with five catches for 55 yards and a score on six targets. The 24-year-old has 26 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets for the season. He's shown signs of increased usage over the past two weeks, earning 12 targets and recording 10 catches for 143 yards and two scores. LaPorta and Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams appear to be battling to be the second option in Detroit's passing game behind star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Either way, fantasy managers have to be encouraged by LaPorta's production over his past two games, and he profiles as a must-start tight end heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay 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.