There may not be a rookie off to a hotter start and making a bigger impact than Sam LaPorta already is doing for the Detroit Lions. The former Iowa Hawkeyes tight end has adapted to the NFL game extremely quickly and is already putting himself among the best at the position.
Just eight games into his rookie season, LaPorta already has a clear chemistry with Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff. He trusts LaPorta on third downs and when he needs a completion. That is one of the biggest testaments a rookie can get from a veteran quarterback.
The draft class that LaPorta was part of in the 2023 NFL draft was loaded with tight end talent. He was the second tight end drafted in a draft that saw six of them selected in the first two rounds. Of the bunch, LaPorta has been the highest-graded rookie tight end this season per Pro Football Focus.
Highest graded rookie Tight End this season:
đŚ Sam LaPorta pic.twitter.com/Z26vahRZ6Z
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 1, 2023
Sam LaPorta already has 43 receptions on the year for 434 yards and four touchdowns. He is essentially a walking first down averaging 10.1 yards per catch.
LaPorta is fourth among all tight ends in catches, tied for fourth in receiving yards among tight ends, and second among tight ends in touchdowns. He finds himself among the likes of the position’s best including Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and fellow Hawkeyes George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers, and T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings.
Sam LaPorta is showing all the right signs at this point in his young career and has all the intangibles to continue improving. He is the next in line from “Tight End U” and is staking his claim very early on.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Riley on Twitter:Â @rileydonald7
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesnât influence our coverage.