TE DET
College: Iowa | Rookie
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 245 lbs
Birth Date: 2001-01-12
2024 Bye Week: 5
Total Pts: 259.5
Avg Pts: 15.26
Rank: 1 TE
Free Agent
LaPorta has a monster rookie season. He not only was the best rookie tight end but the top overall scoring fantasy tight end, finishing ahead of Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Evan Engram. LaPorta has 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was targeted 120 times. LaPorta had double-digit fantasy points 10 of 17 games, including three games with 20-plus points. He had double-digit targets four times. He is going to be a top target in the Lions offense for years to come. LaPorta catches the ball well and is a volume tight end, racking up the catches on a weekly basis. He is a good route runner and willing blocker. He also will make plays after the catch, breaking nine tackles last year. LaPorta did drop five passes last year, so there is room for improvement.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: LaPorta should challenge for the No. 1 overall tight end spot once again. He is going to get a ton of targets in this offense. It would not surprise if he pushes for 100 receptions. He can get around 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns as well. He won't be around long come draft day.
Sam LaPorta's exceptional rookie season fueled his historic entrance into the NFL, while also creating an impactful shift within the tight end landscape. Detroit's selection of LaPorta during Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft (34th overall) infused him into a favorable environment, as he was positioned to secure significant playing time and extensive targeting as the Lions' primary tight end. LaPorta capitalized by providing Detroit with a prolific and reliable presence at his position. LaPorta established a new NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end (86/5.1 per game). His league-high 10 touchdowns also made him the third rookie tight end to attain a double-digit touchdown total. LaPorta also finished second among all tight ends in targets per route run (26.6%), and was fourth in air yards (826), fourth in red zone targets (16), fifth in receiving yards (889/52.3 per game), sixth in yards per route run (1.97), and eighth in yards after catch (364). LaPorta also paced all tight ends in contested catches (13), according to PFF. LaPorta also finished as a TE1 in 11 of his matchups, which propelled him to third with an average of 14.1 points per game from Weeks 1-18. He also tied for second in fantasy points per route run (0.52) according to Fantasy Points Data. LaPorta is primed to retain his integral role in Detroit's potent offense and should be the first tight end selected during Round 3 in dynasty startup drafts, and best-ball leagues.
Sam LaPorta's exceptional rookie season fueled his historic entrance into the NFL, while also creating an impactful shift within the tight end landscape. Detroit's selection of LaPorta during Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft (34th overall) infused him into a favorable environment, as he was positioned to secure significant playing time and extensive targeting as the Lions' primary tight end. LaPorta capitalized by providing Detroit with a prolific and reliable presence at his position. LaPorta established a new NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end (86/5.1 per game). His league-high 10 touchdowns also made him the third rookie tight end to attain a double-digit touchdown total. LaPorta also finished second among all tight ends in targets per route run (26.6%), and was fourth in air yards (826), fourth in red zone targets (16), fifth in receiving yards (889/52.3 per game), sixth in yards per route run (1.97), and eighth in yards after catch (364). LaPorta also paced all tight ends in contested catches (13), according to PFF. LaPorta also finished as a TE1 in 11 of his matchups, which propelled him to third with an average of 14.1 points per game from Weeks 1-18. He also tied for second in fantasy points per route run (0.52) according to Fantasy Points Data. LaPorta is primed to retain his integral role in Detroit's potent offense and should be the first tight end selected during Round 3 in dynasty startup drafts, and best-ball leagues.
Fantasy Week | Pts | Scoring |
---|---|---|
Week 1 | 8.90 | Sam LaPorta 39 receiving yds (3.90 pts) Sam LaPorta 5 receptions (5.00 pts) |
Week 2 | 11.30 | Sam LaPorta 63 receiving yds (6.30 pts) Sam LaPorta 5 receptions (5.00 pts) |
Week 3 | 24.40 | Sam LaPorta 84 receiving yds (8.40 pts) Sam LaPorta 1 receiving TD (8.00 pts) . . . Sam LaPorta 45 yd TD pass from Jared Goff Sam LaPorta 8 receptions (8.00 pts) |
Week 4 | 9.60 | Sam LaPorta 56 receiving yds (5.60 pts) Sam LaPorta 4 receptions (4.00 pts) |
Week 5 | 23.70 | Sam LaPorta 47 receiving yds (4.70 pts) Sam LaPorta 2 receiving TDs (16.00 pts) . . . Sam LaPorta 4 yd TD pass from Jared Goff . . . Sam LaPorta 31 yd TD pass from Jared Goff Sam LaPorta 3 receptions (3.00 pts) |
Week 6 | 7.60 | Sam LaPorta 36 receiving yds (3.60 pts) Sam LaPorta 4 receptions (4.00 pts) |
Week 7 | 11.20 | Sam LaPorta 52 receiving yds (5.20 pts) Sam LaPorta 6 receptions (6.00 pts) |
Week 8 | 21.70 | Sam LaPorta 57 receiving yds (5.70 pts) Sam LaPorta 1 receiving TD (8.00 pts) . . . Sam LaPorta 18 yd TD pass from Jared Goff Sam LaPorta 8 receptions (8.00 pts) |
Week 9 | 0.00 | |
Week 10 | 8.00 | Sam LaPorta 40 receiving yds (4.00 pts) Sam LaPorta 4 receptions (4.00 pts) |
Week 11 | 6.80 | Sam LaPorta 1 receiving 2XP (2.00 pts) Sam LaPorta 18 receiving yds (1.80 pts) Sam LaPorta 3 receptions (3.00 pts) |
Week 12 | 19.70 | Sam LaPorta 1 receiving 2XP (2.00 pts) Sam LaPorta 47 receiving yds (4.70 pts) Sam LaPorta 1 receiving TD (8.00 pts) . . . Sam LaPorta 7 yd TD pass from Jared Goff Sam LaPorta 5 receptions (5.00 pts) |
Week 13 | 31.00 | Sam LaPorta 140 receiving yds (14.00 pts) Sam LaPorta 1 receiving TD (8.00 pts) . . . Sam LaPorta 13 yd TD pass from Jared Goff Sam LaPorta 9 receptions (9.00 pts) |
Week 14 | 4.90 | Sam LaPorta 4 rushing yds (0.40 pts) Sam LaPorta 23 receiving yds (2.30 pts) Sam LaPorta 1 rushing att (0.20 pts) Sam LaPorta 2 receptions (2.00 pts) |
Playoff Week 1 | 34.60 | Sam LaPorta 56 receiving yds (5.60 pts) Sam LaPorta 3 receiving TDs (24.00 pts) . . . Sam LaPorta 19 yd TD pass from Jared Goff . . . Sam LaPorta 3 yd TD pass from Jared Goff . . . Sam LaPorta 10 yd TD pass from Jared Goff Sam LaPorta 5 receptions (5.00 pts) |
Playoff Week 2 | 4.80 | Sam LaPorta 18 receiving yds (1.80 pts) Sam LaPorta 3 receptions (3.00 pts) |
Playoff Week 3 | 15.40 | Sam LaPorta 84 receiving yds (8.40 pts) Sam LaPorta 7 receptions (7.00 pts) |
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) has been suffering from a hamstring injury which has kept him working on a side field with a trainer. LaPorta missed a second-straight practice on Tuesday, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated that he doesn't expect this injury to be a long-term issue. It would be reasonable to assume that LaPorta will miss Thursday's preseason opener against the New York Giants due to this minor injury. The Lions will choose to err on the side of caution with LaPorta, who set the fantasy world ablaze with his fantastic rookie season in 2023. The former Iowa Hawkeye set a rookie record for most receptions by a tight end with 86 last season and should follow with another excellent season in 2024. Many view LaPorta as the top fantasy tight end in fantasy drafts and while he faces stiff competition from Travis Kelce for that title, LaPorta has the slight edge as overall TE1.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (toe) did not participate in the team's joint practice with the New York Giants on Monday, as he is reportedly dealing with a toe injury. However, head coach Dan Campbell said the ailment is not a concern. At this point in the offseason, teams are likely to be extra cautious with their key players, but this should not ding LaPorta's standing ahead of the 2024 fantasy football season. The 2023 second-round pick out of Iowa set the record for the most receptions by a rookie tight end (86) last season and finished the year as the overall TE1. Detroit failed to add significant pass-catching weapons behind star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown this offseason, so many view LaPorta as the clear TE1 in upcoming fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Lions rookie Sam LaPorta is drawing rave reviews from rival executives. Dynasty Analysis: After an 86/889/10 rookie season, LaPorta is being touted as the overall TE1 in dynasty leagues by many. It's hard to blame anyone for that line of thinking as the 23-year old looked like a dominant weapon for much of last season. While there's a chance of a step back with anyone this young, LaPorta looks like a premier dynasty asset and nearly untouchable via trade. If you hit on LaPorta in last year's rookie draft, congratulations.
NFL Week | Opp | Pts | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | Rec Tgt | 100 Yds | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Fum Lost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 Season | 259.50 | 86 | 889 | 10 | |||||||
Week 1 | @KC | 8.90 | 5 | 39 | 0 | ||||||
Week 2 | SEA | 11.30 | 5 | 63 | 0 | ||||||
Week 3 | ATL | 24.40 | 8 | 84 | 1 | ||||||
Week 4 | @GB | 9.60 | 4 | 56 | 0 | ||||||
Week 5 | CAR | 23.70 | 3 | 47 | 2 | ||||||
Week 6 | @TB | 7.60 | 4 | 36 | 0 | ||||||
Week 7 | @BAL | 11.20 | 6 | 52 | 0 | ||||||
Week 8 | LV | 21.70 | 8 | 57 | 1 | ||||||
Week 9 | bye | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 10 | @LAC | 8.00 | 4 | 40 | 0 | ||||||
Week 11 | CHI | 6.80 | 3 | 18 | 0 | ||||||
Week 12 | GB | 19.70 | 5 | 47 | 1 | ||||||
Week 13 | @NO | 31.00 | 9 | 140 | 1 | ||||||
Week 14 | @CHI | 4.90 | 2 | 23 | 0 | ||||||
Week 15 | DEN | 34.60 | 5 | 56 | 3 | ||||||
Week 16 | @MIN | 4.80 | 3 | 18 | 0 | ||||||
Week 17 | @DAL | 15.40 | 7 | 84 | 0 | ||||||
Week 18 | MIN | 15.90 | 5 | 29 | 1 | ||||||
Wildcard | LAR | 12.40 | 3 | 14 | 1 | ||||||
Divisional | TB | 15.50 | 9 | 65 | 0 | ||||||
Championship | @SF | 18.70 | 9 | 97 | 0 |