Week 7 Fantasy Football Tight End Strategy: Cade Otton, Sam LaPorta & Value Picks

Many times in two-game slates, punting the tight end position creates salary cap relief needed for impact players at running back and wide receiver.

In fantasy football, especially during two-game slates, strategically avoiding investing heavily in the tight end position can free up salary cap space to strengthen running back and wide receiver spots. Additionally, pairing a low-cost tight end with his quarterback may offer valuable low-cost scoring opportunities. For Week 7 of Monday Night Football, several tight ends stand out as strong options based on recent performances, matchups, and salary considerations.

• Cade Otton of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been active recently due to injuries among wide receivers, posting elite tight end stats and remains a top option despite some recent adjustments in projections.
• Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions has shown promising performances in recent games and faces a Buccaneers defense ranked 24th against tight ends, making him a viable fantasy option.
• AJ Barner from the Seattle Seahawks has had fluctuating targets but benefits from a strong offensive presence and may see increased involvement due to opponent defensive strategies.
• Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans has improved target volume and faces a weak Seattle tight end defense, making him a low-cost potential scorer.
• Sam LaPorta's fantasy outlook is summarized with game logs, projected points, and matchup insights highlighting his potential value for Week 7.

Tight End Strategy and Projections for Week 7

Salary Cap Considerations and Value Play

In two-game slates, where fantasy managers must plan for two contests in a short window, limiting tight end expenses can be a strategic move. This approach allows managers to allocate more funds towards high-impact players at running back and wide receiver. Additionally, low-priced tight ends paired with their quarterbacks can create “hook-up” opportunities—instances where the quarterback frequently targets that tight end, producing value for a low salary slot.

Cade Otton – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cade Otton’s recent surge in involvement—attributable to injuries to key wide receivers like Chris Godwin and initially Mike Evans—has elevated his fantasy value. With performances including receptions of 8/100 yards and multiple touchdowns, he emerged as a top tight end candidate. However, once Mike Evans returned to form, Otton’s projection was moderated but he remains a favorable choice given Tampa Bay’s likely need to play catch-up. Importantly, the Detroit Lions’ secondary has been weakened by injuries, which historically leads to good opportunities for tight ends, as tight ends have amassed 29 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets versus Detroit this season.

Sam LaPorta – Detroit Lions

Sam LaPorta has experienced an uptick in fantasy relevance recently, with significant target shares and touchdowns in his past two games. While he often receives six or fewer targets, his ability to convert these opportunities efficiently is notable. His matchup against Tampa Bay’s 24th-ranked tight end defense offers a positive outlook, especially given the Buccaneers’ susceptibility to tight ends scoring touchdowns. LaPorta’s salary is considered fair for his output, making him an attractive option this week.

AJ Barner – Seattle Seahawks

AJ Barner’s fantasy production has relied heavily on touchdown scoring in limited target opportunities. While he’s seen three or fewer targets in most starts, Barner has maintained a significant share of the snaps on offense (78.5%). Facing the Houston Texans, who boast the NFL’s best tight end defense by accuracy of stopping receptions and limiting yards, Barner may not see a large spike in targets. Still, defensive plans focusing on neutralizing other key offensive players could increase his looks. Elijah Arroyo is noted as a potential sleeper tight end on this slate due to his long scoring ability.

Dalton Schultz – Houston Texans

Dalton Schultz’s involvement with the Texans has steadily increased over their last three games, consistently seeing six targets per game with improved receiving yards. This uptick contrasts with his previous seasons where five catches were rare. Schultz faces a Seattle defense ranked third worst against tight ends, positioning him as a likely candidate to produce fantasy points. His history of scoring 18 touchdowns over 47 games also suggests upside. Schultz is recommended as a low-cost roster filler with potential flex viability.

Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Outlook and Performance Analysis

Week 4 and Week 7 Projections

For Week 4, LaPorta was projected to record 7.8 fantasy points, with a slight increase to 10.3 in PPR formats. His recent game performances show a steady contribution averaging around 4.6 to 7.4 points per game, positioning him as the 15th-ranked tight end and 138th overall in the NFL.

Looking forward to Week 7, LaPorta is projected to gain 7.7 fantasy points playing against the Buccaneers, a team that has allowed multiple players over 100 receiving yards and several touchdowns to tight ends this season. This matchup is promising for LaPorta, considering Tampa Bay’s defensive vulnerabilities against tight ends.

Statistical Performance Overview

LaPorta’s fantasy points have fluctuated through the season:

• Best game: Week 5 versus Cincinnati Bengals – 15.2 fantasy points with five catches for 92 yards and one touchdown.
• Worst game: Week 2 against the Chicago Bears – 2.6 fantasy points.
• Recent trend: Averaging over 10 points in the last three games and over 7 points across the last five.

Matchup Analysis Against the Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed eight different players to catch touchdown passes, and three players have had 100+ receiving yards in a game against them this season. This relative openness makes LaPorta a promising candidate for targets in the red zone and yardage accumulation. Additionally, the Buccaneers’ tendency to concede tight end touchdowns bolsters his value.

Fantasy Football Strategic Insights for Sam LaPorta in 2025

Changes in Offensive Scheme

Last season, LaPorta blossomed as a key red-zone threat after a slow start, ending with seven touchdowns over 12 games. The departure of Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson and the arrival of John Morton, who favors a more vertical offense, could shift opportunity distribution. Morton’s emphasis is expected to benefit Jameson Williams more than LaPorta, potentially curbing LaPorta’s target share growth.

Overall Outlook

LaPorta remains a mid-range TE1 fantasy option, with his upside contingent upon injuries to higher-targeted receivers such as Jameson Williams or Amon-Ra St. Brown. Without such circumstances, his target volume and touchdown potential may be capped. The team dynamics currently favor other receiving threats, limiting LaPorta’s ceiling.

Conclusion

Managing tight end selection in two-game slates involves balancing salary cap flexibility and player efficiency. Cade Otton and Sam LaPorta emerge as top tight end choices for Week 7 due to favorable opportunities and matchup scenarios. AJ Barner and Dalton Schultz provide budget-friendly alternatives with potential upside due to strategic roles and opposing defenses’ weaknesses.

Sam LaPorta, specifically, presents a solid mid-tier option highlighted by consistent recent production, competitive salary, and a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ vulnerable tight end defense. Managers aiming to optimize their Monday Night Football fantasy rosters should consider these insights carefully when finalizing lineups.

Questions and answers

Q: Best tight ends for fantasy football Week 7

A: For Week 7, the best tight ends for fantasy football typically include players like Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle, who consistently produce high yards and touchdowns. Emerging options such as Dallas Goedert and T.J. Hockenson can also provide solid value based on matchups. It's important to consider the opposing team's defense against tight ends and injury status before finalizing your lineup.

Q: Tight end salary cap strategy in two-game slates

A: In two-game fantasy slates, a tight end salary cap strategy often involves balancing elite and value picks due to limited games. Investing in one high-floor tight end with a favorable matchup ensures consistent points, while finding a low-cost sleeper tight end can help allocate funds to other skill positions. Prioritize tight ends facing defenses that struggle to cover the position and consider stacking with quarterbacks for potential scoring upside.

Q: Fantasy football tight end projections Monday Night Football

A: Tight end projections for Monday Night Football depend on the matchups and recent performance trends. Analysts often expect players who are focal points in their team's passing attack to produce reliably on Monday nights. Checking target shares, red zone usage, and opposing linebackers' coverage stats can help predict tight end output, making it easier to anticipate production for fantasy lineups in these prime-time games.

Q: Low-cost tight end fantasy options

A: Low-cost tight end fantasy options are valuable for roster flexibility, often including players like Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, or Hayden Hurst, who can deliver moderate points with touchdown upside. These players typically have defined roles in their offenses, especially in red zone opportunities. Monitoring injury reports and matchup strength helps identify when these budget options could outperform their price.

Q: Sam LaPorta fantasy football outlook

A: Sam LaPorta's fantasy football outlook is promising due to his role as a primary tight end target with the Detroit Lions. His athleticism and involvement in the passing game have led to consistent target volume, making him a solid mid-range option. LaPorta's effectiveness in red zone situations enhances his touchdown potential, making him an attractive choice in both standard and PPR leagues moving forward.

Key Entities

Cade Otton: Cade Otton is a professional American football tight end currently playing in the NFL. He is known for his receiving skills and blocking ability, contributing to his team's offense.

Sam LaPorta: Sam LaPorta is an emerging NFL tight end recognized for his athleticism and pass-catching talent. He has quickly become a valuable asset for his team’s offensive schemes.

AJ Barner: AJ Barner is a football player specializing at the tight end position. He is noted for his potential and versatility on the field.

Dalton Schultz: Dalton Schultz is an NFL tight end known for his reliable hands and consistent performance as a receiving target. He has earned a starting role through his effective playmaking.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional NFL franchise based in Tampa, Florida. They have a history of success including multiple Super Bowl championships.

External articles

• Tight End Strategy in Salary Cap Leagues
• Justin Boone's Rankings Tiers and Salary Cap Values — ...
• Fantasy Football Salary Cap Draft Strategy: 14-team results ...

Articles in same category

• Golden Knights Beat Hurricanes 4-1 Despite Adin Hill’s Leg Injury
• Stephen A. Smith Reflects on Feuds with Kyrie Irving and LeBron James
• Seth Rollins Injury Confirmed, Title Stripped on WWE RAW – Road to WrestleMania 2026

YouTube Video

Title: Trade these players after Week 7🏈🏆 #fantasyfootball #fantasycontent #fantasytrades #nflconvo
URL: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JmeOwEpEq1s