The Lions host their traditional Thanksgiving Day game against the Bears on Thursday, which means you’ll have to make your call on whether to start or sit Sam LaPorta ($4,100) early this week. LaPorta has been up-and-down this season after his impressive rookie campaign, and he’s become a fringe starter after being drafted as an elite player. Should you start him for this week or leave him on the bench? Let’s break it down.
LaPorta’s inconsistent upside
I ranked LaPorta outside my top-10 options to start at tight end in Week 13. He does have potential, for sure, but he isn’t a lock as a starter if you have another option available who is in my top 10.
Last week against the Colts, LaPorta returned from a one-week absence due to a shoulder injury suffered in Week 10 vs. the Texans. Before he was hurt, he was putting together his best performance of the season, hauling in 3-of-6 targets for 66 yards, a touchdown and 15.6 fantasy points.
He also had a big game in Week 8, catching 6-of-6 targets for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Titans.
However, aside from those games, he hasn’t been very impressive, averaging 8.5 fantasy points per game on 2.8 catches for 38.5 yards per game. He has been more heavily targeted in his last few games, so things seem to be trending in the right direction for him, although he is still a boom-or-bust, high-risk play at the position.
He has a high enough ceiling to be a leverage option in DFS contests like the NFL $2.5M Thanksgiving Millionaire [$1M to 1st] (Thu) even though he isn’t the safest tight end play on the board.
The Bottom Line: Sit Sam LaPorta except in deep leages or desperate situations
I’d rank LaPorta around 12-to-15 for starting tight ends this week. You definitely can start him if you have no other options and hope that the Lions get him involved early and often against the Bears.
For the most part, the Lions have been going more run-heavy lately and riding the tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs ($7,500) and David Montgomery ($6,500). Since they are nine-point favorites against the Bears, they may play from ahead and rely mostly on their run game again this week.
LaPorta is +230 to score a touchdown and +180 to get 50+ receiving yards.
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