Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Harold Fannin Jr.

Saturday, January 31, 11:47 AM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was on a 17-game pace of 76 receptions for 924 yards and six touchdowns before a back injury prematurely ended his season. Expected to be healthy for the 2026 season, LaPorta should see heavy involvement in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's tight end-friendly system. With Petzing calling plays in Arizona for the past three seasons, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has emerged as a fantasy superstar. While target competition in Detroit will be significantly stronger than McBride faced in the desert, LaPorta already has a TE1 season under his belt and is an obvious dynasty buy until his market recovers to its pre-injury form.

Tuesday, January 27, 6:08 PM

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. exceeded all expectations in his first year in the NFL after being taken in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Bowling Green. Fannin quickly proved that he could hold his own at the next level, and he finished with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets in 16 games. The 21-year-old led the Browns in catches, targets, receiving yards, and touchdowns, and he quickly surpassed David Njoku as Cleveland's go-to pass-catching tight end. A whole new coaching staff is coming to Cleveland for the 2026 season, but regardless, Fannin should have a major role in the passing attack going into his sophomore campaign. If David Njoku, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March, doesn't come back, Fannin's fantasy upside will soar even higher. After his rookie breakout in 2025, expect Fannin to be a popular TE1 selection in fantasy drafts this fall.