Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Ja'Tavion Sanders

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.

Thursday, October 16, 3:45 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) was upgraded from a limited participant in Wednesday's practice to a full participant on Thursday, suggesting that he's on the right track to return for a Week 7 tilt against the New York Jets. As long as the 22-year-old doesn't suffer a setback with his high-ankle sprain in Friday's practice, he'll have a good shot to put an end to his three-game absence. If Sanders is back out on the field this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, he should operate as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end, moving Tommy Tremble back into a blocking role. The Jets have allowed a league-high six touchdowns to the TE position this year, too, which would put Sanders immediately onto the TE2 streaming radar if he makes his return. Before his ankle injury, Sanders caught 11 of 14 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns in three games.