The Cincinnati Bengals could upgrade the tight end depth chart as early as Round 1 of the 2023 NFL draft.
Iowa’s Sam LaPorta is a name who could be a prominent factor there, if not in the second round too, depending on how one of the deepest drafts seen for the position in a long time shakes out.
What’s not an unknown is that the hype around LaPorta keeps growing.
Here’s a recent note from The Score’s Jordan Schultz: “If you need him to block an edge rusher, he’ll do that. He can pretty much chip anyone. He runs clean routes, he catches with his hands. He’ll play pro football for a decade.”
LaPorta, 6’3″ and 245 pounds, didn’t put up major production at Iowa, but his on-field skills — especially in the way he goes through defenders after the catch — makes it hard not to fall in love when projecting him as the fourth option in the Cincinnati passing attack.
He’s at least a name to keep in mind, as LaPorta has the skillset and projectable range on draft day that would make him an excellent fit alongside Irv Smith Jr. on the re-tooled depth chart.
#Iowa TE Sam LaPorta is well liked around the league. Says one veteran scout: “If you need him to block an edge rusher, he'll do that. He can pretty much chip anyone. He runs clean routes, he catches with his hands. He'll play pro football for a decade.” #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/cTuE4CSHVQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 3, 2023
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