LaPorta's impressive performance has raised eyebrows, especially considering his association with a good-but-not-elite quarterback in Jared Goff and a Lions' passing offense that primarily revolves around receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

According to the default scoring system for half-point PPR leagues, LaPorta currently sits at the number one position, with the now-injured T.J. Hockenson closely following in second place and Kelce trailing in third. However, in a league that ignores PPR, LaPorta secures the top spot, followed by George Kittle and Kelce. For full-PPR formats, Hockenson claims the first position (even though he will fall out this week), with Kelce in second and LaPorta in third.

What sets LaPorta apart is his remarkable efficiency, coupled with his ability to find the end zone. Despite ranking seventh in red-zone targets among tight ends, LaPorta has caught 10 of them, leading to an impressive seven touchdowns from inside the 20-yard line. In fact, no other tight end has more than six touchdowns overall this season, while LaPorta has nine.

However, as LaPorta continues to light up the fantasy football world, concerns about potential touchdown regression and the impact of losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson loom for the 2024 season. But for now, the rookie's breakout season has solidified his standing as an excellent fantasy option, currently placing him eighth on the list of 2023 Yahoo MVPs and making him a valuable asset for championship week.

On the other hand, Kelce's age and potential decline raise doubts about his future fantasy value. Despite ranking third overall at his position, Kelce's age-35 season seems to be showing signs of wear and tear, exacerbated by a knee injury that caused him to miss Week 1 of the season. While Kelce remains a top talent, the natural course of player decline cannot be denied.

Furthermore, the recent struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs' offense, with Patrick Mahomes delivering only one top-10 quarterback performance over the past eight weeks, further raises concerns about Kelce's consistent production. While the emergence of Rashee Rice has aided the wide receiver room, he alone cannot be the savior the Chiefs desperately need.

As the fantasy football regular season comes to a close and managers prepare for their championship week matchups, decisions regarding rostering Kelce will undoubtedly be carefully considered. While he has been a force to reckon with in past years, the decrease in both production and touchdown output calls for caution moving forward.

In the end, LaPorta's meteoric rise and Kelce's potential decline mark a shifting landscape at the tight end position in 2023. As fantasy football managers evaluate their options for the future, LaPorta's outstanding rookie season serves as a reminder that the unexpected can happen, even in a position dominated by seasoned veterans.