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


Week 1 Projections

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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Sam LaPorta News

Will the Lions Consider Trading Sam LaPorta?

Wednesday, July 1, 7:31 PM

ESPN's Ben Solak thinks the Detroit Lions should trade tight end Sam LaPorta as they stare at upcoming big contract extensions for him, star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and safety Brian Branch. The Lions are also carrying sizable second contracts at quarterback (Jared Goff), wide receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown), edge rusher (Aidan Hutchinson), and offensive tackle (Penei Sewell). Gibbs is probably untouchable as one of the best dual-threat backs in the NFL. LaPorta had an eye-popping rookie season with 86 catches, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns, but he's lost some volume in Detroit's passing attack as receiver Jameson Williams has developed into the team's WR2. In the last two years, LaPorta's 25% target per route fell to 19.7%, and Williams has produced more yards per target, yards per route, and explosive receptions per target. The 25-year-old former second-rounder is now the clear fourth target in an explosive Lions offense, which makes him somewhat expendable. Additionally, LaPorta isn't a very strong blocker. Solak predicts that the Carolina Panthers, a team that hasn't had a difference-making pass-catching tight end since Greg Olsen, could come calling if the Lions are willing to listen.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Harold Fannin Jr. News

Does Harold Fannin Jr. Belong a Tier Below His Fellow Sophomore Tight Ends?

Wednesday, June 24, 5:39 AM

After one of the most productive collegiate seasons in recent history, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was a third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft, and, along with the Colts' Tyler Warren, he was one of only two rookie tight ends to earn 100 targets. With a shakeup to the coaching staff and Cleveland spending two top 40 picks on potential target competition in receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, Fannin is generally not viewed on the same level as the fellow standouts from his class, Warren and Chicago's Colston Loveland, regularly going a full two rounds later than either in dynasty startups. The Browns deployed 12 personnel at the league's highest rate in 2025, but new head coach Todd Monken has traditionally fallen more in line with the league average, and with the team parting ways with veteran tight end David Njoku, Fannin is likely to more frequently find himself as the lone tight end in three-receiver sets. While the talent he put on display at small school Bowling Green was proven legitimate in his first year in the NFL, the situation he faces heading into year two is not as favorable as that of Warren or Loveland, though at RotoBaller's TE5, he is still a legitimate TE1 and a player that dynasty managers can feel comfortable locking into a onesie position for years to come.


Sam LaPorta vs. Harold Fannin Jr.

Still trying to decide between LaPorta and Fannin Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Sam LaPorta is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Harold Fannin Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points.