Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce: Which TE should I draft in fantasy football 2025?

Travis Kelce is entering a crossroads in 2025.

The Kansas City Chiefs' ten-time Pro Bowler has seen his output plummet over the last two years, going from 1,338 yards in 2022 to 984 in 2023, then just 823 in 2024. In the meantime, a new batch of dynamic tight ends has emerged during that same timespan.

One of them is Sam LaPorta, who had a monstrous debut in 2023. He shattered multiple records and helped the Detroit Lions clinch their division and reach the NFC Championship Game - both for the first time since the days of the legendary Barry Sanders.

Can Kelce regain his dominant form as he nears his late 30s? And what does this mean for his fantasy stock?

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Travis Kelce's fantasy outlook in 2025

Sportskeeda predicts that Travis Kelce will continue to regress in 2025, as he sets new career-lows in receptions (62) and receiving yards (669). One factor behind it may be the Chiefs' plans to shift him from primary starter to rotation member who will mentor a young core bannered by Noah Gray.

Nevertheless, FantasyPros still expects experts to continue considering him a Top-10 tight end in the league. He is also expected to remain a Top 70 player overall.

Sam LaPorta's fantasy outlook in 2025

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Detroit Lions - Source: Getty

The Detroit Lions are entering a new-ish era in 2025.

Head coach Dan Campbell is still there, but he has lost his offensive and defensive coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, to rebuilding teams in the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively.

The former's successor John Morton gained praise last year for turning Bo Nix into a future franchise face for the Denver Broncos. Under the then-pass game coordinator, the then-rookie quarterback was very confident in finding his receivers, most notably Courtland Sutton.

Sportskeeda posits that he should be able to do the same with Jared Goff, and the benefits of the partnership will trickle down to other players like LaPorta, who is predicted to have an uptick in receptions (73) and receiving yards (819). That puts him at a Top-5 experts' average and an overall average draft position within the Top 60 according to FantasyPros.

Whom should I draft between Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta in 2025 fantasy football?

Travis Kelce or Sam LaPorta - whom to draft in fantasy football?

There is no doubt about this - Kelce is on his way out of the league. This may very well be his final season as a football player, and his projected numbers in 2025 will only make it clearer to fantasy players who have not known already.

Meanwhile, LaPorta is on the rise - among a group of increasingly dynamic tight ends who can do it all: block for the run and/or pass, facilitate runs after the catch, and catch the ball. As the Lions look to reassert themselves as NFC contenders, he is among a slew of players to watch.

About the author

Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.

Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.

Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.

Know More

Detroit Lions Fans! Check out the latest Lions Schedule and dive into the Detroit Lions Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Andre Castillo