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TE Sam LaPorta, DET (1 Viewer)

Faust

Faust

MVP

Lions selected Iowa TE Sam LaPorta with the No. 34 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.​

In Detroit, LaPorta will have a chance to be the teams' No. 2 pass catching option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. LaPorta (6’3/245) saw his role at Iowa grow year over year and he broke out with 53 catches for 670 yards as a true junior. The Hawkeyes offense took a nosedive for LaPorta’s senior season. Despite this, he sustained his counting stats with a 58-657-1 receiving line. LaPorta, responsible for 35 percent of Iowa’s receiving yards, doesn’t offer much above replacement with his hands. He committed the occasional drop and is far from a 50/50 ball specialist. On the other hand, he is a problem for defenses after the catch. He ranked third in total yards after the catch and second in missed tackles forced among Power Five tight ends last year. At the combine, LaPorta blazed the forty in 4.59 seconds before impressing in the agility drills as well. He logged an impressive 9.5 relative athletic score in Indy. LaPorta projects as a strong pass-catcher at the next level, though his modest frame could limit his usage as a blocker.
Apr 28, 2023, 7:27 PM ET
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kface said:
I've never understood taking a TE that can't block...just take a wr then
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The can't block is not valid. LaPorta can block and does, it is just not a strength. Detroit is absolutely going to be a match-up nightmare, especially for LBs who will have to be responsible for Gibbs and LaPorta and Montgomery.
 
Sam LaPorta tweet storm with clips

Realistically you're probably looking at somewhere between Dustin Keller (48-535-3 78 targets) and Mark Andrews (34-552-3 50 targets) Y1 production.
  • The YAC is encouraging. Willing but below average blocker (53.1), waste bender who doesn't get leverage and lacks functional strength.
  • Alignment: Inline 381, Slot 111, Wide 90.
  • RAS 9.01 (Hock was 9.18), below average to poor HT, WT & bench (16), great to elite in all timed testing (4.59 40 4.25 short shuttle 6.91 3-cone.)
Terrific stiff arm and runs through arm tackles. 20 broken tackles were the 5th most in 9 years of PFF college data. Could be a seam threat with his speed and athleticism.
 
If you could erase the preconceived notions from January to now, and was evaluating the members of this class based on ALL the info we have now (performance, analytics, combine, draft capital), then Laporta would be ranked #1

He's two years younger than Kincaid, and we didn't get athletic testing from Kincaid.
 
YAC monster, great run after catch. Not really a tough contested catch guy though. Does that seem accurate?
 
massraider said:
If you could erase the preconceived notions from January to now, and was evaluating the members of this class based on ALL the info we have now (performance, analytics, combine, draft capital), then Laporta would be ranked #1

He's two years younger than Kincaid, and we didn't get athletic testing from Kincaid.
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No sir, I'd still have Kincaid as the top guy.

But no sweat two dudes on a message board don't agree, NFL teams can't either.

There is talk that Houston might have taken Mayer at 12 if they remained in that spot. The Raiders said they had a top 15 overall grade on Mayer and did try and trade into late one to get him so if that's smoke it's not all smoke. Seems teams run from branches of the Patriot Way tree got a thing for Mayer and I absolutely think these teams preferred Mayer over Kincaid.

Dallas does not seem to want to admit they got jumped for Kincaid and maybe they did not. I've heard from a few people locally that whether or not that's true that LaPorta is the guy they wanted as the next TE, not Mayer.

Obviously the Lions preferred Laporta over at least everyone but Kincaid.

There is no consensus.

As for the age I do like them younger the better for obvious reasons but Kittle was a 24 year old rookie and for all intents and purposes Kelces first season he was 25. I'd let that settle a tie, I'd not let that dictate which direction I went.
 
Ilov80s said:
YAC monster, great run after catch. Not really a tough contested catch guy though. Does that seem accurate?
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18-44 on contested catches at Iowa

PFF draft guide:

WHERE HE CAN IMPROVE
LaPorta is not a security blanket by any means. He struggles to haul in passes outside his frame and make plays through contact.

Release/get off, speed, and YAC were highlighted as his strengths. Focal point of a bad offense, lined up all over.

In their final rankings it was 1. Kincaid 2. Mayer 3. LaPorta 4. Musgrave 5. Washington 6. Kraft
 
Russell Brown @RussNFLDraft
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The Detroit Lions added Iowa TE Sam LaPorta with the 34th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His skill-set immediately separates him from the TEs on the roster. Wouldn't be surprised if he's a day one starter. - Easily shakes defenders - Great YAC ability - Fluid route runner - Sinks his hips and drops his weight at ease when changing direction - Needs to get stronger and more consistent with his hand placement but he's a willing blocker Productive these last two seasons. 2021: 53 catches for 670 yards and 3 TDs | 2022: 58 catches for 657 yards and 1 TD. I'd expect an increase in touchdowns with better QB play and OC Ben Johnson calling the plays.
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Greg Cosell analyzes Lions' 2023 draft class

Excerpt:

TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa, Round 2 (No. 34 overall)
Cosell: "LaPorta has the look and feel of a 10-year NFL TE with his compact route running and his ability to work the middle of the field effectively, including the play speed to run the vertical seam and the deep corner and go routes.

"LaPorta is not as big as you'd ideally like at the TE position but he is a smooth fluid athlete with the versatility to line up in multiple locations within the formation and he showed both the route quickness on multiple routes to create separation at the top of his stem and the commitment to run blocking that is demanded. LaPorta was a strong run blocker both attached and detached from the formation and at times in the backfield.
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"There were times when LaPorta split outside the numbers and looked like a big wide receiver with his short area quickness and balance and body control to transition immediately from receiver to run-after-catch. One issue that cropped up too often was inconsistent hands with too many drops on balls that he needed to catch and that will need to be cleaned up at the next level. "But LaPorta is an intriguing prospect who I believe could be a factor as a formation versatile and movement TE/receiver with the ability to work all three levels of the defense although he might not be a true matchup weapon in the NFL."
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TIM AND MIKE: Rookie minicamp observations
Speaking of LaPorta: I thought he showed Saturday exactly why the Lions took him so high in the second round. He made plays all over the field – deep, intermediate and short. He's great at gaining separation at the top of his route and he's got some sizzle with the ball in his hands after the catch. I thought he was one of the best players on the field Saturday. – Tim Twentyman
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Smooth operator II: On the other side of the ball, LaPorta ran routes as if he were planning to play wide receiver. – Mike O'Hara
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Faust said:
TIM AND MIKE: Rookie minicamp observations
Speaking of LaPorta: I thought he showed Saturday exactly why the Lions took him so high in the second round. He made plays all over the field – deep, intermediate and short. He's great at gaining separation at the top of his route and he's got some sizzle with the ball in his hands after the catch. I thought he was one of the best players on the field Saturday. – Tim Twentyman
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Smooth operator II: On the other side of the ball, LaPorta ran routes as if he were planning to play wide receiver. – Mike O'Hara
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I was desperate at TE and drafted LaPorta at 2.02, which I was ok with because I had five 2nd round picks that I had had massed. I then watched Mayer fall and was able to get him at 2.07. I'm extremely happy to have both, especially after struggling with the TE position.
BobbyLayne said:
Ilov80s said:
YAC monster, great run after catch. Not really a tough contested catch guy though. Does that seem accurate?
Click to expand...

18-44 on contested catches at Iowa

PFF draft guide:

WHERE HE CAN IMPROVE
LaPorta is not a security blanket by any means. He struggles to haul in passes outside his frame and make plays through contact.

Release/get off, speed, and YAC were highlighted as his strengths. Focal point of a bad offense, lined up all over.

In their final rankings it was 1. Kincaid 2. Mayer 3. LaPorta 4. Musgrave 5. Washington 6. Kraft
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I was desperate at TE and drafted LaPorta at 2.02, which I was ok with because I had five 2nd round picks that I had had massed. I then watched Mayer fall and was able to get him at 2.07. I'm extremely happy to have both, especially after struggling with the TE position.
 

The Athletic's Colton Pouncy writes TE Sam LaPorta was "the best player on the field ... by a wide margin," in rookie minicamp.​

Start the offseason hype machines. LaPorta was flexed out to wideout at times during the Saturday practice. "It almost feels as though the Lions want to build a semi-positionless offense with speed and playmaking as the core strength among skill players," Pouncy writes. LaPorta has a fairly clear path to a starting opportunity with just Brock Wright and James Mitchell in front of him at tight end.
SOURCE: The Athletic
May 14, 2023, 1:32 PM ET
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You listen to interviews of Sam at the press coverage is gushing over his performance, and he is like, "yeah, I am going to win some and lose some...I made several mistakes I am sure the coaches are going to hit me on and I need improve upon those things....it is the little things that make the difference.." That is the kind of player who is focused on the small details who can come in and play early and perform.
 
Takes awhile for TEs to develop. But LaPorta looks really good on his route running from the Slot in his Iowa film. Practice routes without pads don’t tell us much but he is very fluid.

Goff needs a level of comfort to succeed and favors receivers who are consistently where they’re supposed to be. Obvious example being ARSB, but he has good chemistry with Reynolds and (for the rare deep ball) Raymond. MJJ is declining a bit IMO, no history with this QB, we’ll see how that goes.

Point being, with Jamo out the first 6 g there are no obvious target hogs besides St Brown. LaPorta and Gibbs could conceivably have significant roles right from the jump based on the situation.

Would def pay attention to camp reports on how much they are planning on leaning on the rookies and hints they’ve entered the JG circle of trust.
 
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Just to show you how ridiculous his hype is, I woke up this morning to a trade offer of LaPorta and a 2024 2nd for Waddle. It's a PPR league (1pt per reception for WRs and 1.25 for TEs).
 
JoeJoe88 said:
JohnnyU said:
Just to show you how ridiculous his hype is, I woke up this morning to a trade offer of LaPorta and a 2024 2nd for Waddle. It's a PPR league (1pt per reception for WRs and 1.25 for TEs).
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Jesus.
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I know. I seldom have a positive attitude anymore as I open trade offers. They are seldom worth the time. I'm astonished how little effort is made in trade offers. This same owner in a start 1QB league is loaded at TE (Andrews, Goedert, LaPorta) and only has Cousins at QB and I previously offered him Justin Fields for LaPorta and a 2024 2nd. I have Hurts, Young, AR, Fields. I feel like my offer was a great offer and probably overpaying, but he countered with that Waddle offer.
 
Mister CIA said:
Hope he's an upgrade from my Shultz/Everett/Ferguson stack in my Prem-TE dynasty league.
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He's been a star every day in OTAs and that continued the first day of mini camp. High praise from his OC and QB, fun guy with the media, doing all the right things. All non contact stuff but he has crisp breaks and catches everything, looks very smooth and athletic. He's a TE but looks like a big X out there.

Means nothing. First year TEs are notorious for underwhelming. Every year there's a guy who lights up the offseason, has a great TC & PS, fizzles out. If I had to bet I'd say he's tracking to be the #2 target in Detroit, at least until Week 7. Maybe beyond that bc (it's early) rn he is way past Jamo in terms of being where he's supposed to be when Goff pulls the trigger.

Didn't really like the pick when they made it, but in a weak WR class they found a TE they can line up all over. Played on a really bad offense in college and was super productive. Could be a great YAC guy once he gets rolling. Trying to temper expectations bc you never know with inexperienced TEs but rn he is head and shoulders above everyone on the roster besides St Brown.
 
BobbyLayne said:
Mister CIA said:
Hope he's an upgrade from my Shultz/Everett/Ferguson stack in my Prem-TE dynasty league.
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He's been a star every day in OTAs and that continued the first day of mini camp. High praise from his OC and QB, fun guy with the media, doing all the right things. All non contact stuff but he has crisp breaks and catches everything, looks very smooth and athletic. He's a TE but looks like a big X out there.

Means nothing. First year TEs are notorious for underwhelming. Every year there's a guy who lights up the offseason, has a great TC & PS, fizzles out. If I had to bet I'd say he's tracking to be the #2 target in Detroit, at least until Week 7. Maybe beyond that bc (it's early) rn he is way past Jamo in terms of being where he's supposed to be when Goff pulls the trigger.

Didn't really like the pick when they made it, but in a weak WR class they found a TE they can line up all over. Played on a really bad offense in college and was super productive. Could be a great YAC guy once he gets rolling. Trying to temper expectations bc you never know with inexperienced TEs but rn he is head and shoulders above everyone on the roster besides St Brown.
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Thank you for this information. In my dynasty, I am looking to draft my eventual Kelce replacement. I have an eye on LaPorta. My only fear is he works with Goff for a year or two, and then has a new QB to deal with and learn to play with. I guessd the same can be said for many of the TE ranked in the same area though.
 

DetroitLions.com's Tim Twentyman reports TE Sam LaPorta has "been a favorite target of the Lions quarterbacks, especially in the red zone."​

"LaPorta is an explosive athlete at the tight end position and has gained separation from defenders pretty effortlessly so far," Twentyman, a longtime Lions beat writer, said after Thursday's OTAs. He added "LaPorta seems to be picking it up pretty well. He stands out every time the Lions hit the practice field." Lions tight ends combined for 29 inside-the-ten targets in 2022. All reports so far have been positive for LaPorta, taken with the 34th pick in the 2023 draft out of Iowa. LaPorta, 22, broke out as a junior and maintained respectable stats in his final collegiate season in a terrible Iowa offense. With consistent pass routes in Detroit's offense, LaPorta could position himself as Jared Goff's No. 2 target behind Amon-Ra St. Brown this season.
SOURCE: DetroitLions.com
Jun 9, 2023, 11:41 AM ET
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LaPorta seems to be the perfect Dan Campbell type player who soaks up the playbook and strives for perfection, this is in high contrast to the TE they traded to the Vikings. It is also the kind of player whom Goff will quickly warm up to. So yes, LaPorta will have a very good rookie season and has a great future in Detroit.

That said, Gibbs has also balling off, especially as a WR. Marvin Jones is looking as good as ever. And despite every mistake Jamo makes creating headlines, Jamo is also routinely burning people and looking like a man among boys at times.

Detroit will have a highly potent offense, which will build on its success from last season, but will have much more pop to it, and lots of diversity. This is the type of team which suits Goff perfectly. There will be a number of players on Detroit who will be fantasy worthy, but their big games will not be forced, but more match-up driven.
 
JohnnyU said:
JoeJoe88 said:
JohnnyU said:
Just to show you how ridiculous his hype is, I woke up this morning to a trade offer of LaPorta and a 2024 2nd for Waddle. It's a PPR league (1pt per reception for WRs and 1.25 for TEs).
Click to expand...
Jesus.
Click to expand...
I know. I seldom have a positive attitude anymore as I open trade offers. They are seldom worth the time. I'm astonished how little effort is made in trade offers. This same owner in a start 1QB league is loaded at TE (Andrews, Goedert, LaPorta) and only has Cousins at QB and I previously offered him Justin Fields for LaPorta and a 2024 2nd. I have Hurts, Young, AR, Fields. I feel like my offer was a great offer and probably overpaying, but he countered with that Waddle offer.
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That was a steal, and a bad counter. You would be better off announcing to the league you want a TE for Fields, and going from there.
 
Lions.com’s Tim Twentyman reports rookie TE Sam LaPorta is expected to “have a role right away and be an important part of the offense.”

The Lions have been surprised with how ready LaPorta has looked, with the second-round rookie one of the winners of the team’s OTAs. LaPorta’s hot start has him the frontrunner to replace T.J. Hockenson, a role UDFAs Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, and fifth-round TE James Mitchell totaled nine touchdowns after the Hockenson trade last year. LaPorta is a sleeper to produce in Year 1 for a Detroit offense that features tight ends in the red-zone, but his floor comes with committee risks after career seasons for Zylstra/Wright.
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NFL Beat Writers @32BeatWriters
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On Sam LaPorta: “We knew it was only a matter of time before he emerged as TE1. The question was whether that would occur during the season or at some point before then. But at this rate, LaPorta looks like TE1. He’s quite obviously the most talented player at the position, and he received plenty of first-team reps Sunday. He might’ve already passed Brock Wright.”
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NFL Beat Writers @32BeatWriters
LaPorta continues to integrate himself with the starters and every day he looks more comfortable. If not for St. Brown's impressive touchdown catch, LaPorta high-pointing a Goff pass 25 yards downfield over Alex Anzalone would have earned catch-of-the-day honors.

LaPorta also scored twice on the day. Goff hit him in the flat after he fake blocked then leaked out into the flat for an easy score. The other came while working with the second team, running straight at Malcolm Rodriguez, then breaking off toward the sidelines for an easy outlet pass from Nate Sudfeld. Despite working with the starters, the Lions are trying to get LaPorta as many reps as possible and that means working with the first, second, and third teams.
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The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy notes “Sam LaPorta looks like TE1.”
Pouncy isn’t leaving much up to interpretation here as he also noted LaPorta is always with the starters and looks like the most talented tight end on the team. LaPorta accounted for 35 percent of Iowa’s receiving yards as a senior, an outstanding number for a tight end. He also ranked top-five in missed tackles forced and yards after the catch among Power Five tight ends last year. It’s safe to say LaPorta is on the TE2 fast track for fantasy purposes.
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He’s going to be one of the better receiving TEs in the league. Does not do much else.

I’ll never understand why teams continue to draft TEs as strictly receivers. Everybody, especially their opponents know they can’t block so just play a receiver there and increase the mismatch.
 
STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
He’s going to be one of the better receiving TEs in the league. Does not do much else.

I’ll never understand why teams continue to draft TEs as strictly receivers. Everybody, especially their opponents know they can’t block so just play a receiver there and increase the mismatch.
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My league favors the better receiving TEs.

Edit: and I feel pretty confident that a Dan Campbell coached TE (of all positions) will become a decent blocker.
 
STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
He’s going to be one of the better receiving TEs in the league. Does not do much else.

I’ll never understand why teams continue to draft TEs as strictly receivers. Everybody, especially their opponents know they can’t block so just play a receiver there and increase the mismatch.
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The mismatch is the TE has size and speed so who covers him.
 
STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
He’s going to be one of the better receiving TEs in the league. Does not do much else.

I’ll never understand why teams continue to draft TEs as strictly receivers. Everybody, especially their opponents know they can’t block so just play a receiver there and increase the mismatch.
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LaPorta is far from just being strictly a receiver, he is a good blocker and loves to do so. The Lions love multi-dimensional players who can play many roles in a play. It allows them out of any given formation to run numerous plays and fool defenses into making mistakes and creating mismatches and opportunities. Ben Johnson is a genius at that is why the Lions targeted Gibbs and LaPorta so much in their draft.
 
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