Sam LaPorta · Travis Kelce · 2026 week 9

Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce?

Wondering who you should start this week — Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Sam LaPorta — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0.3 points. The matchup leans Sam LaPorta (MIA allow the 3rd-most TE points), but you can defend either call.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Sam LaPorta START	@ MIA	13.5	3rd · soft	9.7	1,917	healthy
Travis Kelce	vs NYJ	13.2	18th	9.8	1,389	Questionable

TEs vs MIA recently: Tanner Hudson 7.4 pts (W5) · Mason Taylor 20.2 pts (W7) · Hunter Henry 3 pts (W8).

TEs vs NYJ recently: Hunter Henry 10.8 pts (W6) · Greg Dulcich 8.6 pts (W7) · Brock Bowers 21.2 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Projections are 0.3 apart — too close to call on projection alone.
Travis Kelce has the higher floor (4.4) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Sam LaPorta has the higher ceiling (24.7) — the play if you need points.
Sam LaPorta faces MIA, 3rd most generous to TEs.
Travis Kelce faces NYJ, 18th most generous to TEs.
Travis Kelce is flagged WATCH.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam LaPorta carries the higher trade value — 1,917 against 1,389 (a 28% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam LaPorta gets the most. Momentum: Sam LaPorta +283 and Travis Kelce -128 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More TE decisions

Sam LaPorta or George Kittle?Sam LaPorta or Colston Loveland?Sam LaPorta or Isaiah Likely?Travis Kelce or Tyler Warren?Travis Kelce or Tucker Kraft?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.