Week 1 targets a tight end showdown as Sam LaPorta eyes a plus matchup against Green Bay while Ben Johnson’s absence as play-caller adds a wrinkle to Detroit’s offense. LaPorta’s red-zone involvement from late last season and a strong week-to-go stretch suggest hefty usage near the goal line, even with some camp injury chatter. Across the league, Mark Andrews offers redemption odds against Buffalo, leveraging a top red-zone grade (88.9) and a seven-of-10 red-zone TD run to close last season. Bills’ defense allowed red-zone TDs at the sixth-worst clip last year, setting a cliff-face for Week 1 props.

Two TE prop bets stand out: LaPorta at +190 and Andrews at +140. PFF’s Player Props tool adds matchup context, historical hit rates and red-zone leverage to back the angle. LaPorta’s matchup against Green Bay hinges on coverage strength from Quay Walker, who posted a 50.6 PFF coverage grade last season and is coming off ankle surgery. Andrews brings a red-zone toolkit refined by volume and red-zone threat rate, positioning him as a prime play in Week 1’s TD markets. Health and camp signals will steer Week 1 projections as teams seek to feature their top playmakers early.

Sam LaPorta's injury is a minor setback for Detroit, but it carries fantasy relevance as camp news trickles out ahead of Week 1. LaPorta exploded as a rookie in 2023 with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, then posted 60 for 726 and seven scores in Year 2. The Lions say the issue isn’t major and he’ll miss only a few days, yet the absence could nudge target shares and red-zone opportunities for Detroit’s other pass-catchers. If LaPorta is sidelined into early September, Brock Wright would likely absorb more looks and James Mitchell could see increased situational snaps, tempering LaPorta’s ceiling in the near term.

Detroit’s offense is anchored by LaPorta’s versatility, and Week 1 against Green Bay looms as a proving ground for the unit’s continuity. The Dolphins game this weekend in preseason provides a live-testing ground for backup roles. Fantasy managers should monitor practice reports for a timeline on LaPorta’s return and be prepared to pivot toward Wright or Mitchell if the rookie misses time. Contingency planning and favorable early matchups could soften the impact, but the situation adds a wrinkle to Lions projections early in the season.

Brock Bowers sits as the prime upside pick for 2025, eyeing a potential repeat as the overall TE1 with the Las Vegas Raiders, after a historic rookie season. Arizona’s Trey McBride is right in the mix, posting elite target share and finishing near the TE1 tier in 2024, suggesting he could push for the top spot in a pass-happy offense. George Kittle and Travis Kelce headline the “outside chance” and “long odds” categories, respectively, given age and offense dynamics, while rookie Tyler Warren represents a high-reward, long-shot sleeper for Indianapolis. Sam LaPorta’s TE1 finish profile in past seasons keeps him squarely in the conversation for 2025. Deebo Samuel’s movement and QB upgrades in playbooks shape the broader passing landscape and impact how much volume TEs can command. Gardner Minshew and fellow signal-callers are noted for their roles in feeding this TE class, with the quarterback-receiver chemistry now more important than ever for fantasy success.

In short, Bowers leads the way with a realistic path to another TE1 finish, while McBride, Kittle, Kelce, Warren, LaPorta and Samuel offer compelling targets with varying risk-reward. Expect target shares, quarterback play, and offense shifts to dictate weekly upside, with rookies and aging stars offering both ceiling and floor considerations for 2025 fantasy drafts.

RotoBaller's 2025 fantasy football Tight End Premium rankings sharpen the edge for TE-leaning rosters in redraft leagues, where receptions and yardage carry extra clout. Brock Bowers sits among the elite, with Sam LaPorta and Kyle Pitts rising on workload and target share. Veterans like Darren Waller and T.J. Hockenson anchor the middle, while Elijah Arroyo and Mason Taylor highlight rookie upside in the TE premium landscape. The update emphasizes that depth at the position remains thin, so early TE premium builds and late-round sleepers will shape many fantasy rosters this season.

Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta will miss a little time with an undisclosed injury, potentially nudging Detroit’s early-week plans toward more depth at the position and forcing a short-term shift in targets behind him. Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel is on track to start Cleveland’s Week 2 preseason game, signaling a clear path for a rookie QB battle to begin taking shape. Tampa Bay's Chris Godwin is a strong candidate to begin the year on the PUP list after ankle issues, which could suppress early-season receiving volume. Bears corners Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are nursing hamstring issues, a situation that could push opposing WRs into more favorable fantasy matchups early in the season. Meanwhile, Dillon Gabriel was listed as full go in Thursday practice, a boon for Browns’ offense, with Shedeur Sanders sidelined and Gabriel set to take the majority of practice reps ahead of Week 1 excitement.