Brock Bowers vs Sam LaPorta
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Sam LaPorta by 0.0 projected points (11.7 vs 11.6), close enough that either call is defensible.
Sam LaPorta faces NYJ, the 5th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Brock Bowers faces NO, the 28th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Brock Bowers ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 3, not a change of heart about the rest of the year.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Brock Bowers, and it isn't close: 39.5 points of value over replacement separate them (40.7 vs 1.2).
The draft market agrees: Brock Bowers goes first at ADP 34.5 vs 100.4 for Sam LaPorta.
Health note: Brock Bowers carries an injury flag of Questionable (Knee - Meniscus), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Brock BowersLVR | Sam LaPortaDET | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | NO | NYJ | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 11.6 | 11.7 | Even |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 32) | #28 | #5 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 217.9 | 178.4 | Bowers +39.5 pts |
| Points per game | 12.8 | 10.5 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 40.7 | 1.2 | Bowers +39.5 |
| Overall rank | #40 | #68 | Bowers by 28 |
| Position rank | TE2 | TE5 | |
| Market ADP | 34.5 | 100.4 | LaPorta +65.9 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 3 | Rd 9 | |
| Bye week | 13 | 6 | |
| Injury flag | Questionable | None |
Should I start Brock Bowers or Sam LaPorta in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Sam LaPorta by 0.0 projected points (11.7 vs 11.6), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Brock Bowers or Sam LaPorta in 2026 fantasy football?
Brock Bowers. He projects 217.9 fantasy points with 40.7 value over replacement, vs 178.4 points and 1.2 for Sam LaPorta (TE, PPR).