Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Emari Demercado

Friday, October 3, 5:11 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has had an underwhelming season so far in terms of fantasy production, recording 16 catches for 177 yards without finding the end zone through his first four games. After earning nine targets in Week 1, LaPorta has been targeted exactly four times by Lions quarterback Jared Goff in each of the last three weeks. LaPorta has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed the third-most passing yards (1,089) and fifth-most passing touchdowns (eight) in the league through four games. The Bengals are also allowing an average of 10 targets per game to tight ends, which is the highest mark in the league. Despite the frustrating production he has provided to this point, LaPorta remains a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 5.

Saturday, October 4, 12:28 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado should be in line for a significant workload increase in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, with Cardinals running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both on Injured Reserve. However, Demercado still figures to split playing time with Arizona backs Michael Carter and Bam Knight. On the plus side, all three Cardinals running backs have a favorable matchup against a Tennessee run defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL so far in 2025. Demercado has recorded 751 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 125 total touches across 31 career games with Arizona. In Week 5, he profiles as a high-end RB3/flex option for fantasy managers.