Every summer, the NFL releases the Top-100 ranked players in the league. This ranking is voted on by the players themselves. Last season, the Detroit Lions had multiple players in the NFL Top -100. Those players were Aidan Hutchinson at 88th, Amon-Ra St. Brown at 67th and Jared Goff at 66th.
For the 2024 list of the NFL Top-100, we’ve seen players ranked 100 – 71 revealed. At this point, only one Detroit Lions player has been ranked. Today, it was revealed that Sam LaPorta is the 80th ranked player in the NFL. Here’s the reasoning behind his strong ranking in the NFL Top-100:
“It took only one season for LaPorta to earn his first Pro Bowl nod and be named in the Top 100 list. He emerged as a solid foundation piece for the Lions. With his 86 receptions during the regular season, LaPorta set the tight end rookie record for most catches in a season. He was also the only tight end with 80-plus catches, 800-plus receiving yards and seven-plus touchdowns, per NFL Research.”
https://x.com/NFL/status/1815899700777619597
Drafted 34th overall in the 2nd Round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Sam Laporta had the best rookie season we’ve seen from a rookie tight end. Having immediate rapport with Jared Goff led to plenty of success for LaPorta. He’s coming off a rookie season with 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Despite hyperextending his knee in the final game of the season, LaPorta also had a strong postseason. Playing with a heavy duty brace around his knee, he was able to record 21 receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown for Detroit in the playoffs.
While expectations are high, I’d look for LaPorta to have another strong season. We’ll see if he can build off that as he gets ready to enter his second season in the league.