Sam LaPorta emerged as one of the top rookies in the NFL last season, and heading into 2024, higher-ups throughout the league believe he’s already among the elite at his position.
According to an ESPN survey voted on by NFL executives, coaches and scouts, LaPorta is the fourth-ranked tight end in the league. The only players ranked higher than the 23-year-old are Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens), George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) and Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), who have earned 17 Pro Bowl nods and seven All-Pro selections over 24 combined seasons.
The high praise for LaPorta isn’t without merit.
LaPorta set rookie records for receptions (86) and touchdowns (10) by a tight end, and his 889 yards were the third-highest ever, trailing only Jeremy Shockley (894 yards, 2002) and Kyle Pitts (1,026 yards, 2021). However, LaPorta’s output was among the best by a first-year player on offense, regardless of position.
When it comes to yards, receptions and touchdowns, only one player in NFL history had better production in their first year. In 2014, Odell Beckham Jr. recorded 1,305 yards, 91 receptions and 12 touchdowns, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
For LaPorta, the sky seems to be the proverbial limit. And while such high expectations can weigh on a young player, the Lions star tight end seems confident that won’t happen, citing his experience from last season and the advice given from his veteran teammates.
“I’ve been there, I’ve done that, I know what it takes,” LaPorta told the Lions website in June. “And we have guys around the building I can really lean on that have had success in the past.”