Should I start Sam LaPorta or T.J. Hockenson this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: T.J. Hockenson

+0.8 projected edge · Standard

Start T.J. Hockenson over Sam LaPorta for Week 8 Standard: 7.1 projected points versus 6.3.

Sam LaPorta: 8.3 FP recent scoring average; 10% matchup reduction against MIN.
T.J. Hockenson: 5.1 FP recent scoring average; 10% matchup lift against DET.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 2:31 AM ET · Standard

FF PICK

T.J. Hockenson

TE · MINStats & schedule

7.1FF projected

↑ +0.9 vs ESPN

at DET

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Sam LaPorta

TE · DETStats & schedule

6.3FF projected

↓ -0.4 vs ESPN

vs MIN

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Why this pick?

T.J. Hockenson

Fortified7.1

ESPN6.2

Sleeper6.3

T.J. Hockenson faces DET in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 5.1 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 10%.

Sam LaPorta

Fortified6.3

ESPN6.7

Sleeper6.9

Sam LaPorta faces MIN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 8.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 10%.

T.J. Hockenson projects for 7.1 points in standard scoring, 0.8 more than Sam LaPorta. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice. FantasyPros projections are temporarily unavailable; they are excluded from this comparison.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 2:31 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

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Scoring & lineup notes

PPR awards one point per reception; half-PPR awards 0.5; standard awards none. Custom league rules can change the result. Confirm active status, kickoff and lineup locks. Projections are estimates; completed-week scores are actuals.