Start Sam LaPorta over Dalton Schultz — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

LaPorta’s role and scoring environment outweigh Schultz’s clean bill of health

Start Sam LaPorta: his near-every-down role and Detroit’s stronger scoring environment create the better tight-end bet, a meaningful edge at this position rather than projection noise. His questionable tag is the real concern, though Detroit’s updated depth chart still lists him as the starter (Sports Illustrated (Lions On SI) 2026-09-06). Schultz is the safer availability play and a reliable chain mover, but Houston’s tougher tight-end matchup and lower offensive ceiling give him fewer paths to a difference-making game.

What flips it: LaPorta does not clear his questionable tag.

Sources: Sports Illustrated (Lions On SI) · Sep 6, 2026

AI editor

Dalton Schultz

TE19HOUvs BUF

4.76.58.4 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Sam LaPorta

TE6DETvs NO

6.58.711.0 Projected Points

Start· medium

Why Dalton Schultz

Toss-Up

TE1 in high-volume pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover over the middle with sure hands.

Toss-up — TE19 by consensus and projection: BUF is the 3rd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 19% target share in 2025.

Schultz’s clean availability removes the biggest uncertainty in this comparison.
His middle-of-field role keeps him viable if Houston is forced into a pass-heavy script.

Why Sam LaPorta

Start· medium

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

TE6 at 11.0 projected with a 91% snap share and 17% target share in a 27.8-point implied offense — start him if he clears his questionable tag.

Detroit’s lead-friendly setup gives LaPorta more paths to sustained routes and touchdown chances.
The stronger role is valuable here, but only if his questionable tag does not limit him.

The call

Role is locked in: 91% snap share and a 17% target share over nine games make him Detroit's clear No. 1 tight end, and the depth chart confirms the starting job.
Game environment is a plus — 27.8 implied team total as a 7-point favorite means plenty of scoring chances, and LaPorta is a red-zone piece in that offense.
The DvP composite of 13 of 32 comes off a 0-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it carries no real weight against a TE6 consensus rank.
Only real risk is the questionable designation; if he's downgraded or limited in warmups, pivot, but an active LaPorta is a clear starter over replacement TEs.

Latest on LaPorta

Role

LaPorta is listed as the starting tight end on Detroit's updated offensive depth chart ahead of the regular season.

Sports Illustrated (Lions On SI) · Sep 6, 2026

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.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Dalton Schultz	Sam LaPorta
Projected points	4.76.58.4	6.58.711.0
Consensus rank	TE19	TE6
Opponent vs position	BUF · 3 of 320-game sample	NO · 13 of 320-game sample
Receptions	1 of 32	14 of 32
Receiving Yards	2 of 32	14 of 32
Receiving TDs	6 of 32	9 of 32
Targets	1 of 32	18 of 32
Anytime TD	5 of 32	9 of 32
Target share	19%(2025)	17%(2025)
Reception share	23%(2025)	19%(2025)
Implied total · spread	22.0+1.5	27.8-7.0
Depth chart	TE1	TE1
Snap share	71%(2025)	91%(2025)
Injury designation	—	Questionable