Jordan Addison or Sam LaPorta: Who Should You Start?

Preliminary board

2026 Week 4 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Verdicts sharpen as practice reports land.

LaPorta’s TE1 role is the stronger weekly anchor

Start LaPorta: the near-identical forecasts understate the positional gap between a top-eight tight end and a fringe WR option, while his seam and intermediate role offers the steadier lineup foundation. Addison has the larger target share and a marginally better scoring outlook, but Miami’s tough-looking matchup signal comes from only three games, so it deserves limited weight. The risk is Addison turning his vertical or red-zone role into a spike play while LaPorta’s smaller share of targets leaves less room for a quiet passing game.

What flips it: Addison converts a vertical or red-zone opportunity into a touchdown.

AI editor

Jordan Addison

Jordan Addison

WR46MINvs MIA

Projected Points

Start· low
Sam LaPorta

Sam LaPorta

TE8DETvs CAR

Projected Points

Start· high

Jordan Addison’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
-165
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Sam LaPorta’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+110 / -140
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 45.5
-112 / -112
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+190
Anytime Touchdown Props →
MIA@
MINSun, Oct 4, 4:05 PM ETView the game →
DET@
CARSun, Oct 4, 8:20 PM ETView the game →

Why Jordan Addison

Start· low

WR2 and vertical field-stretcher. Slight-framed separator with deep-ball tracking and red-zone production.

A 24% target share and 90% snaps in a 25.5-point team total outweigh a tough but thin-sample MIA matchup. He's a flex-range WR46.

  • His vertical-stretch role can turn a modest projection into a game-changing downfield connection.
  • Red-zone production gives him a scoring path even against a difficult matchup.

The call

  • Role is locked in. Addison is playing 90% of snaps with a 24% target share over 3 games, which is starter-level volume for a WR-2.
  • The offense should score. Minnesota's implied total is 25.5 and it is a 7.5-point favorite, so there should be plenty of scoring chances even if a big lead leans on the run late.
  • The matchup is the drag. MIA rates 5 of 32 against WRs (tough), but that is a 3-game sample at 0.25 confidence, so we won't overreact to it.
  • Risk is a modest ceiling. His projection is 11.5 PPR at WR46, which makes him a flex play, not a locked WR2. The earlier ankle report said he was expected to play, and he carries no designation now. A stronger WR/flex alternative in a softer matchup would tip this to a sit.

Latest on Addison

Status

Jordan Addison (ankle) expected to be available for Week 4 game vs. Green Bay Packers.

Minnesota Vikings · Sep 24, 2026

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 projection (11.2 PPR) with a 90% snap share and 18% target share on a 25.3 implied total — locked-in every-week TE1.

  • Seam and intermediate routes give him ways to stay involved without needing a deep-ball hit.
  • His TE1 role is a sturdier weekly foundation than a WR2 whose profile leans vertical.

The call

  • Role is the anchor: a 90% snap share and 18% target share over three games is elite usage at a thin position, and he carries no injury designation.
  • Game environment helps: a 25.3 implied team total as a 3-point favorite points to plenty of scoring chances and a neutral-to-positive script.
  • The matchup is middling at 18 of 32 vs TEs, but that rests on a 3-game sample with 0.25 confidence, so it shouldn't move the needle against his usage.
  • At TE8 with an 11.2-point projection, he clears typical replacement-level tight ends comfortably, consistent with the model's start-lean.

Latest on LaPorta

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricJordan AddisonSam LaPorta
Projected points
Consensus rankWR46TE8
Opponent vs positionMIA · 5 of 323-game sampleCAR · 18 of 323-game sample
Receptions9 of 328 of 32
Receiving Yards8 of 3211 of 32
Receiving TDs3 of 3227 of 32
Targets1 of 3216 of 32
Anytime TD3 of 3226 of 32
Target share24%18%
Reception share17%18%
Implied total · spread25.5-7.525.3-3.0
Depth chartWR2TE1
Snap share90%90%
Start/Sit record0–0+1 toss-up1–2

Recent form

Jordan Addison — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs TB
Week 2vs CHI
Week 1vs GB

Sam LaPorta — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs NYJ
Week 2vs BUF
Week 1vs NO

Signal breakdown

  • 11.5 vs 11.2 projected PPR pointsJordan Addison +
  • Rank 46 vs 8Sam LaPorta +
  • Opponent DvP rank 5 vs 18 (32 = softest)Sam LaPorta +
  • Implied 25.5 vs 25.3 team pointsJordan Addison +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 90% vs 90% snap shareSam LaPorta +

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