The Detroit Lions will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding TE Sam LaPorta.
Is Sam LaPorta Playing in Week 7?
LaPorta is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
We’ll continue to monitor the Lions’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Sam LaPorta in Week 7?
The 52-yard touchdown was a thing of beauty, that much we know.
But am I the only one the least bit concerned that it was the only target LaPorta earned all day (19 routes run)? The route count has been suppressed of late due to Detroit’s efficiency and thus desire to run the ball (bottom-10 pass rate over expectation as it is, and the expectation has been low as a result of playing with leads). But in Weeks 3-4, he saw a look once every 5.8 routes.
During the beatdown of Dallas on Sunday, five Lions saw at least three targets. Now, some of that was due to the one-sided nature of the game. However, if this offense isn’t carving out ways to get their tight end the ball and they are going to continue to operate as a run-heavy offense, isn’t the floor worth considering?
The targets should be there with time, but I have my concerns about this matchup. Both of these teams operate at a below-average pace — any game with reduced possessions is naturally going to introduce a downside.
The aggressive Vikings defense is as happy to bring extra defenders as anyone, and while that seems like a spot for LaPorta to thrive, it hasn’t been. This season, Jameson Williams has an on-field 27.5% target share when Jared Goff is blitzed, while Amon-Ra St. Brown’s rate checks in at 22.5% and LaPorta’s at 15.2%.
I’m hopeful that we get a usage rebound sooner rather than later, but for the time being, I’m fading Detroit’s tight end in DFS play.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 7 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 7
LaPorta is projected to score 11.9 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 4.2 receptions for 50.5 yards and 0.4 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Sam LaPorta’s Week 7 Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 5:15 AM on Sunday, November 10. If you're in a Superflex league, make sure you check out our Weekly Consensus Superflex Rankings.
Week 10 TE PPR Rankings
1) George Kittle | SF (at TB)
2) Trey McBride | ARI (vs. NYJ)
3) Travis Kelce | KC (vs. DEN)
4) Cade Otton | TB (vs. SF)
5) Evan Engram | JAX (vs. MIN)
6) Kyle Pitts | ATL (at NO)
7) Jake Ferguson | DAL (vs. PHI)
8) Dalton Kincaid | BUF (at IND)
9) Mark Andrews | BAL (vs. CIN)
10) Sam LaPorta | DET (at HOU)
11) T.J. Hockenson | MIN (at JAX)
12) Mike Gesicki | CIN (at BAL)
13) Taysom Hill | NO (vs. ATL)
14) Dallas Goedert | PHI (at DAL)
15) Dalton Schultz | HOU (vs. DET)
16) Zach Ertz | WAS (vs. PIT)
17) Hunter Henry | NE (at CHI)
18) Pat Freiermuth | PIT (at WAS)
19) Cole Kmet | CHI (vs. NE)
20) Jonnu Smith | MIA (at LAR)
21) Tyler Conklin | NYJ (at ARI)
22) Will Dissly | LAC (vs. TEN)
23) Ja'Tavion Sanders | CAR (vs. NYG)
24) Colby Parkinson | LAR (vs. MIA)
25) Juwan Johnson | NO (vs. ATL)
26) Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN (at LAC)
27) Theo Johnson | MIN (at JAX)
28) Noah Gray | KC (vs. DEN)
29) Grant Calcaterra | PHI (at DAL)
30) Josh Oliver | MIN (at JAX)
31) Foster Moreau | NO (vs. ATL)
32) Lucas Krull | DEN (at KC)
33) Dawson Knox | BUF (at IND)