Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Colston Loveland

Tuesday, August 19, 1:18 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. LaPorta has been held out of practices recently with a minor undisclosed issue, but it was never considered serious. It's unclear if he'll make his debut this preseason in the finale on Saturday against the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old former second-rounder (34th overall) in 2023 out of Iowa put himself on the fantasy map right away in his rookie campaign with an 86-889-10 line in 17 games (14 starts). He took a slight step backwards in his sophomore season with a 60-726-7 line in 16 regular-season starts. LaPorta has plenty of competition in a still stacked Lions offense which will be run by new offensive coordinator John Morton. However, in one of the top offenses in the league, LaPorta should be considered a top-five fantasy TE.

Sunday, August 17, 10:30 PM

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland caught two passes on two targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 38-0 win against the Buffalo Bills. The 2025 first-round pick caught the game's first pass from quarterback Caleb Williams, as well as hauling in an 18-yard reception over the middle on 2nd-and-14. Despite Loveland's solid night, he only played four of nine snaps when the Bears ran one-tight end formations. A tight end rotation is currently in the works with veteran tight end Cole Kmet, but expect Loveland's role to grow as the season progresses. With the crowded receiving corps and an uncertain role early in the season, Loveland should only be considered in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.