Fantasy football: Where to draft Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta

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Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta made an immediate impact in his 2023 rookie season. The University of Iowa product racked up 86 receptions with 889 yards while finding the end zone 10 times. Not only did that move him into must-start fantasy territory, but he might be the best option at his position already.

Tight end has long since been a fantasy wasteland if you missed out on the top few options. You would either get an absolute stud putting up giant numbers, a mediocre option once the top options are gone, or you’d have to punt the position, and try and do it with mirrors, trying to strike gold with streaming options off the waiver wire.

LaPorta, and a handful of others who have entered the league, have breathed new air into the position. There are options for nearly everybody, although there still is a stark drop-off after the top guys are rostered.

Below, we look at Sam LaPorta’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

As we head into the 2024 season, LaPorta is considered an easy TE1, and there is an argument he is now the best at his position in just Year 2.

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Sam LaPorta’s ADP: 34.25

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

LaPorta’s 34.25 ADP in redraft formats makes a bonafide TE1 in all leagues, and there is an argument that he should be selected as the top overall player at the position as soon as the later part of Round 3 in leagues of 12 or more teams.

LaPorta’s ADP ranks him 2nd among tight ends, just behind Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs, 34.25), while his ADP is well higher than the next best options, Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens, 51.47), Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals, 51.48), Evan Engram (Jacksonville Jaguars, 59.74) and George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers, 60.06), another Iowa TE product.

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Sam LaPorta’s 2023-24 stats

Games: 17

Receptions | targets: 86 | 120

Receiving yards: 889

Receiving touchdowns: 10

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Where should you draft LaPorta?

LaPorta is going to be a vital part of somebody’s fantasy roster, as he is a top option at his position. Why not draft him for your team?

Don’t overvalue LaPorta, as he shouldn’t be selected until at least Round 3 in leagues of 12 or more teams. But, if you really value him, and you know he won’t come back around to you in Round 4, scoop him up any time during Round 3.

It is possible we see a regression, in terms of touchdowns. We’ve only the one season to go on, but rarely does a player record back-to-back seasons with 10 or more scores in the NFL. In recent seasons, Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams and Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill have done it, both in 2020-21, but it’s a rather exclusive club. Kelce? He has never accomplished the feat.

So, expect a single-digit total of TDs for LaPorta. But, he could also very well see an increase in yardage, perhaps getting into the 1,000-yard club.

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