Who should I pick up: Brenton Strange or Sam LaPorta?

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 Brenton Strange: 7.7 versus 6.2 projected FP in Standard. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 4:06 AM ET · Standard

THE ALTERNATIVE

Brenton Strange

TE · JAC · vs BAL

Stats & schedule ›

6.2FF projected FP

Nov 5, 8:15 PM ET

50.1%rostered on ESPN-0.07 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Sam LaPorta

TE · DET · vs MIA

Stats & schedule ›

7.7FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

96.4%rostered on ESPN-0.09 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Sam LaPorta is the stronger immediate points option. Brenton Strange 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.

Brenton Strange

Brenton Strange projects for 6.2 Standard points against BAL this week. His recent scoring average is 5.0 FP. He is rostered in 50.1% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.07 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 6.2 FP
ESPN: 5.7 FP
Sleeper: 6.0 FP
FantasyPros: 6.2 FP
Boosted Trees: 6.2 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Sam LaPorta

Sam LaPorta projects for 7.7 Standard points against MIA this week. His recent scoring average is 2.6 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 0.09 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 7.7 FP
ESPN: 7.7 FP
Sleeper: 7.8 FP
FantasyPros: 7.3 FP
Boosted Trees: 11.1 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 3, 3:30 AM ET / Nov 3, 3:30 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	Brenton Strange	Sam LaPorta
Next 3 weeks	19.1 FP3/3 scheduled games projected	20.7 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	65.5 FP10/10 scheduled games projected	65.9 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected
Weeks 15–18	26.9 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	24.7 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Brenton Strange	Sam LaPorta
Week 9	6.2 FPvs BAL	7.7 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 10	6.7 FPvs TENHigher projection	6.5 FPvs NE
Week 11	6.3 FPvs NYG	6.5 FPvs TBHigher projection
Week 12	6.8 FPvs TEN	6.9 FPvs CHIHigher projection
Week 13	6.5 FPvs CHI	6.5 FPvs ATL
Week 14	6.2 FPvs PIT	7.1 FPvs TENHigher projection
Week 15	6.1 FPvs HOUHigher projection	5.3 FPvs MIN
Week 16	6.8 FPvs DALHigher projection	6.7 FPvs NYG
Week 17	7.4 FPvs WASHigher projection	6.8 FPvs CHI
Week 18	6.6 FPvs INDHigher projection	5.9 FPvs GB

Outlook updated Nov 3, 4:09 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.

6.9 FP11.3 FP

George KittleTE · 97.9% rostered
11.3
Brock BowersTE · 99.9% rostered
11.0
Isaiah LikelyTE · 94.7% rostered
8.4
Trey McBrideTE · 99.9% rostered
8.3
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.4% rostered
7.7

What about Sam LaPorta versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Sam LaPorta7.7projected FP

Tyler Warren6.4projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

George Kittle11.3projected FP

Sam LaPorta7.7projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Brock Bowers11.0projected FP

Sam LaPorta7.7projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Trey McBride8.3projected FP

Sam LaPorta7.7projected 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