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Week 9 lineup decision · updated Nov 7, 2026, 1:07 PM EST

Sam LaPorta or Juwan Johnson: who should I start?

Start Sam LaPorta over Juwan Johnson in Week 9. The Half PPR projection is 11.0 to 5.0.

The lean blends recorded scoring, recent workload, opponent positional defense and only same-week listed availability. Recheck the official inactive list before kickoff.

Start lean
Photograph of Sam LaPorta

Sam LaPorta

DET vs. MIA
Floor5.4
Median11.0
Ceiling15.4

Recent PPG: 10.8

Recent volume: 3.5

Snap share: 95%

Availability: No current-week designation

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Photograph of Juwan Johnson

Juwan Johnson

NO vs. CLE
Floor5.0
Median5.0
Ceiling11.2

Recent PPG: 3.4

Recent volume: 2.5

Snap share: 57%

Availability: No current-week designation

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Scoring changes the call

Week 9 projection by format.

4 points per passing TD
Standard

Start Sam LaPorta

5.3-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start

Sam LaPorta

DET vs. MIA
Floor
3.6
Projection
8.7
Ceiling
12.6
Other option

Juwan Johnson

NO vs. CLE
Floor
3.4
Projection
3.4
Ceiling
8.7
Half PPR

Start Sam LaPorta

6.0-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start

Sam LaPorta

DET vs. MIA
Floor
5.4
Projection
11.0
Ceiling
15.4
Other option

Juwan Johnson

NO vs. CLE
Floor
5.0
Projection
5.0
Ceiling
11.2
PPR

Start Sam LaPorta

6.8-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start

Sam LaPorta

DET vs. MIA
Floor
7.0
Projection
13.3
Ceiling
18.3
Other option

Juwan Johnson

NO vs. CLE
Floor
6.5
Projection
6.5
Ceiling
12.9

Floor and ceiling show the lower and upper ends of the player's recent scoring range. The projection is the middle estimate after current role, matchup, and same-week availability are applied.

Why the model leans this way

Role first. Matchup second. Availability always visible.

Their early Half PPR scoring is level even though their target and route profiles differ.

Sam LaPorta: recent role is near baseline, and the matchup helps. Juwan Johnson: recent role lowers the estimate, and the matchup is neutral.

Availability adjustments apply only when the source contains a Week 9 report. Older designations remain visible in the injury archive but do not reduce this projection.

More Week 9 decisions

Keep working through the close calls.

Recent usageCheck snaps and opportunities →AvailabilityOpen the injury report →Rest of seasonCompare redraft value →