Sam LaPorta or Tyler Warren: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Sam LaPorta and Tyler Warren grade out even this week. LaPorta's best edge is the game script (27.8 implied points to 23.0), Warren's best edge is the projection (12.2 to 11.0) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Sam LaPorta

TE8DETvs NO

6.58.711.0 Projected Points

Start· medium

Tyler Warren

TE4INDvs BAL

7.39.812.2 Projected Points

Start

Why Sam LaPorta

Start· medium

TE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Reliable seam and intermediate target when healthy.

TE8 with a 91% snap share and 17% target share in a 27.8-point implied offense — start him if the questionable tag clears by kickoff.

Carries a Questionable tag — usually plays, but monitor the final report.
NO ranks 13 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 27.8 team points as 7.0-point favorites.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 91% snap share in 2025.

The call

LaPorta is the locked-in every-down tight end: 91% snap share and a 17% target share over nine games, which is elite volume at a thin position.
Detroit's 27.8 implied total as a 7-point favorite means plenty of red-zone and scoring chances, and LaPorta is a primary target in that offense.
The New Orleans matchup is neutral at 13 of 32 on the DvP composite, but that's a 0-game sample with zero confidence — role and team total drive this call, not matchup.
Only real risk is the questionable designation; if he's limited or inactive you need a pivot, so confirm status before lineups lock.

Latest on LaPorta

Lions safeties Branch, Joseph expected to return after PUP stints

Lions starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee), who will both miss the first four games of the season, are expected to return at some point, according to GM Brad Holmes

ESPN · Sep 2, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Tyler Warren

Start

TE1 and high-volume mismatch receiver. Move-piece with contested-catch strength and gadget rushing usage.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE4: BAL is the 5th-toughest matchup vs TEs, 21% target share in 2025.

Carries a Questionable tag — usually plays, but monitor the final report.
BAL ranks 5 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 23.0 team points as 3.5-point underdogs.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 84% snap share in 2025.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Sam LaPorta	Tyler Warren
Projected points	6.58.711.0	7.39.812.2
Consensus rank	TE8	TE4
Opponent vs position	NO · 13 of 320-game sample	BAL · 5 of 320-game sample
Receptions	14 of 32	7 of 32
Receiving Yards	14 of 32	9 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	1 of 32
Targets	18 of 32	7 of 32
Anytime TD	9 of 32	1 of 32
Target share	17%(2025)	21%(2025)
Reception share	19%(2025)	21%(2025)
Implied total · spread	27.8-7.0	23.0+3.5
Depth chart	TE1	TE1
Snap share	91%(2025)	84%(2025)
Injury designation	Q	Q