A lot of people questioned the strategy that the Detroit Lions used during the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions targeted players who were undoubtedly talented, but the value didn’t match up with many analyst’s big boards.
One of the selections that left people scratching their heads was tight end Sam LaPorta in the second round. LaPorta was the second tight end off the board behind Dalton Kincaid, who was selected in the first round by the Buffalo Bills.
During his collegiate career at Iowa, LaPorta wasn’t regarded as the most explosive athlete, but he was a sure-handed receiver who got the job done as a blocker. Anyone who doubted the impact he could have has been quickly proven wrong.
Through the first three games of the season, LaPorta has been one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL. He has caught 18 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, immediately becoming a key part of the Lions’ offensive attack.
In the process, the Iowa product has made some NFL history. Per ProFootballTalk, his 18 receptions are the most by a tight end in their first three career games as a rookie. The record was previously held by Keith Jackson, who had 17 with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988.
Jackson was a productive player for the Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, earning five Pro Bowls, three All-Pro First Team and one All-Pro Second Team nomination in his career, along with finishing second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. The Lions are certainly hoping that LaPorta can be just as successful and he is off to an excellent start.
Along with that record, the No. 34 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is also the first rookie tight end to record at least five receptions in each of his first three games as a professional. The Lions had high expectations for LaPorta when they selected him, but even the most optimistic of people couldn’t have foreseen record-breaking performances being recorded.
More must-reads: