Who should I pick up: Sam LaPorta or T.J. Hockenson?

The claim now. The weeks ahead. Make room for the right player.

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Sam LaPorta

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Sam LaPorta over T.J. Hockenson: 9.9 versus 9.0 projected FP in Half-PPR. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 5:38 AM ET · Half-PPR

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Sam LaPorta

TE · DET · vs MIA

Stats & schedule ›

9.9FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

96.4%rostered on ESPN-0.14 pp recent change

THE ALTERNATIVE

T.J. Hockenson

TE · MIN · vs BUF

Stats & schedule ›

9.0FF projected FP

Nov 9, 8:15 PM ET

79.9%rostered on ESPN-0.11 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Sam LaPorta is the stronger immediate points option. T.J. Hockenson is more widely available across ESPN leagues, but league-wide ownership cannot tell us who is available in yours. For a TE vacancy, compare the immediate matchup with the weeks you actually need covered. A rising roster percentage can explain interest in a player; it does not increase his projected score. If you must drop someone, check the full roster in GamePlan before making the claim.

Sam LaPorta

Sam LaPorta projects for 9.9 Half-PPR points against MIA this week. His recent scoring average is 3.6 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 7.5%. He is rostered in 96.4% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.14 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 9.9 FP
ESPN: 9.9 FP
Sleeper: 10.1 FP
FantasyPros: 9.5 FP
Boosted Trees: 14.0 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

T.J. Hockenson

T.J. Hockenson projects for 9.0 Half-PPR points against BUF this week. His recent scoring average is 12.7 FP. He is rostered in 79.9% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.11 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 9.0 FP
ESPN: 8.3 FP
Sleeper: 8.0 FP
FantasyPros: 7.4 FP
Boosted Trees: 8.3 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 3, 5:30 AM ET / Nov 3, 5:30 AM ET. Recent change uses ESPN’s reported field; its lookback window is not specified. Saved model estimates are supporting evidence, not independent votes.

THE HOLD, NOT JUST THE CLAIM

What comes after this week?

Future FF estimates are separate from the current-week pickup call. Totals describe the player, not extra points for your roster. Weeks 15–18 are a calendar view; your league’s playoff weeks may differ. Green highlights the higher displayed projection when both outlooks are known; ties and incomplete comparisons stay neutral.

Window	Sam LaPorta	T.J. Hockenson
Next 3 weeks	26.9 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	25.8 FP3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	86.0 FP10/10 scheduled games projected	92.6 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected
Weeks 15–18	32.4 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	39.7 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Sam LaPorta	T.J. Hockenson
Week 9	9.9 FPvs MIAHigher projection	9.0 FPvs BUF
Week 10	8.6 FPvs NEHigher projection	8.1 FPvs GB
Week 11	8.4 FPvs TB	8.7 FPvs SFHigher projection
Week 12	9.0 FPvs CHI	9.0 FPvs ATL
Week 13	8.5 FPvs ATL	9.0 FPvs CARHigher projection
Week 14	9.1 FPvs TENHigher projection	9.0 FPvs NE
Week 15	7.0 FPvs MIN	10.6 FPvs DETHigher projection
Week 16	8.7 FPvs NYG	10.4 FPvs WASHigher projection
Week 17	8.9 FPvs CHI	9.2 FPvs NYJHigher projection
Week 18	7.8 FPvs GB	9.4 FPvs CHIHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 3, 5:43 AM ET. Health and roles can change.

PICKUP RANKINGS · TE

More options. The same scale.

FF expected-points order within this pickup pool, with higher FF-minus-ESPN margin breaking displayed ties. Available model ranges provide context.

9.5 FP14.7 FP

Brock BowersTE · 99.8% rostered
14.4
George KittleTE · 97.8% rostered
14.0
Trey McBrideTE · 99.8% rostered
11.7
Isaiah LikelyTE · 94.6% rostered
10.5
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.4% rostered
9.9

What about Sam LaPorta versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Brenton Strange8.1projected FP

Sam LaPorta9.9projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Sam LaPorta9.9projected FP

Tyler Warren9.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

George Kittle14.0projected FP

Sam LaPorta9.9projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Brock Bowers14.4projected FP

Sam LaPorta9.9projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗

More TE pickup decisions

Recorded comparison interest informs the order where available, followed by nearby projected options. These are not claims that both players are free agents in your league.

TE · Week 9

T.J. Hockenson9.0projected FP