Juwan Johnson vs Sam LaPorta
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
Start Sam LaPorta this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.9 projected points (15.9 vs 14.0).
Sam LaPorta faces ARI, the 1st-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Juwan Johnson faces MIN, the 18th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Juwan Johnson ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 5, 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
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Juwan Johnson by 4.2 points of value over replacement (47.1 vs 42.9), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The room sees it the other way: drafters take Sam LaPorta first (ADP 100.4 vs 154.5). If the model is right, Juwan Johnson is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
| Juwan JohnsonNOR | Sam LaPortaDET | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | MIN | ARI | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 14.0 | 15.9 | LaPorta +1.9 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 30) | #18 | #1 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 239.1 | 234.9 | Johnson +4.2 pts |
| Points per game | 14.1 | 13.8 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 47.1 | 42.9 | Johnson +4.2 |
| Overall rank | #32 | #36 | Johnson by 4 |
| Position rank | TE4 | TE5 | |
| Market ADP | 154.5 | 100.4 | Johnson +54.1 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 13 | Rd 9 | |
| Bye week | 8 | 6 |
Should I start Juwan Johnson or Sam LaPorta in Week 5?
Start Sam LaPorta this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.9 projected points (15.9 vs 14.0).
Should I draft Juwan Johnson or Sam LaPorta in 2026 fantasy football?
Juwan Johnson. He projects 239.1 fantasy points with 47.1 value over replacement, vs 234.9 points and 42.9 for Sam LaPorta (TE, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.