Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Sam LaPorta

Friday, October 17, 4:45 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is a middle-of-the-pack TE2 option with his team set to play host to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7. Not only has the veteran tight end's production swung wildly from week to week, but the Eagles have been particularly good against fantasy tight ends, holding them to the fourth-fewest points. However, Hockenson has had better production with Carson Wentz, who will start Sunday with J.J. McCarthy (ankle) listed as questionable as he returns from injury. Still, Hockenson has finished among the top 15 fantasy tight ends just once in five tries, making him hard to trust in formats that play only one tight end.

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.