Bhayshul Tuten or Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

LaPorta’s every-down passing role outweighs Tuten’s big-play appeal

Start Sam LaPorta: his TE1 role and dependable route involvement give him a sturdier path to production than Tuten’s split-backfield workload. Tuten’s straight-line speed and Denver’s relatively favorable RB matchup create splash-play upside, but his limited receiving role leaves little margin if the runs do not break. LaPorta’s risk is a merely ordinary outing against a neutral matchup, yet that is less concerning than relying on Tuten to turn sparse touches into a difference-making play.

What flips it: A confirmed move to a lead-back workload for Tuten.

AI editor

Bhayshul Tuten

Bhayshul Tuten

RB21JAXvs DEN

Projected Points

Sit
Sam LaPorta

Sam LaPorta

TE8DETvs BUF

Projected Points

Start· high

Bhayshul Tuten’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 50.5
-115 / -115
Rushing Yards Props →
REC
O/U 1.5
+112 / -143
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 8.5
-110 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+220
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Sam LaPorta’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-102 / -124
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 46.5
-111 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+200
Anytime Touchdown Props →
JAX@
DENSun, Sep 20, 4:05 PM ETView the game →
DET@
BUFThu, Sep 17, 8:15 PM ETView the game →

Why Bhayshul Tuten

Sit

Explosive RB with elite straight-line speed. Home-run threat splitting carries in the Jacksonville backfield.

Sit — RB21 consensus, projects RB33 this week: DEN is the 8th-softest matchup vs RBs, 5% target share.

  • Tuten’s elite straight-line speed can turn a modest workload into a long touchdown.
  • The softer RB environment supports his home-run profile, even without a lead-back role.

Latest on Tuten

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Sam LaPorta

Start· high

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

TE8 with a 21% target share and 81% snaps in a 24.8-point implied offense — LaPorta is a locked-in weekly starter regardless of a neutral matchup.

  • LaPorta’s TE1 status gives him a dependable route and target pathway.
  • Detroit’s stronger scoring environment amplifies his mismatch value near the middle of the field.

The call

  • Role is everything at tight end and LaPorta's is elite: 81% snap share with a 21% target share makes him the clear No. 1 receiving option pattern in this offense.
  • Consensus has him TE8 at 11.1 projected points — that clears the bar for the TE slot in a 12-team PPR league without needing matchup help.
  • Buffalo grades middle of the pack against the position (16 of 32) on a one-game sample with zero confidence, so there is no matchup reason to fade him.
  • Detroit's 24.8 implied total with a 3-point spread points to a competitive, scoring game — the kind of script where LaPorta stays involved whether the Lions are chasing or protecting a lead.

Head-to-head stats

MetricBhayshul TutenSam LaPorta
Projected points
Consensus rankRB21TE8
Opponent vs positionDEN · 25 of 321-game sampleBUF · 16 of 321-game sample
Rushing Yards31 of 32—
Rushing TDs15 of 32—
Rushing Attempts29 of 32—
Receptions21 of 3229 of 32
Receiving Yards30 of 3221 of 32
Anytime TD22 of 321 of 32
Receiving TDs—1 of 32
Targets—30 of 32
Target share5%21%
Reception share6%19%
Implied total · spread20.5+2.524.8+3.0
Depth chartRB1TE1
Snap share49%81%
Start/Sit record0–0+1 toss-up0–1

Recent form

Bhayshul Tuten — last 1 week

Week 1vs CLE

Sam LaPorta — last 1 week

Week 1vs NO

Signal breakdown

  • 10.0 vs 11.2 projected PPR pointsSam LaPorta +
  • Rank 21 vs 8Sam LaPorta +
  • Opponent DvP rank 25 vs 16 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.5 vs 24.8 team pointsSam LaPorta +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 49% vs 81% snap shareSam LaPorta +

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