The Detroit Lions have plenty to celebrate on Saturday after their Week 15 showdown against the Denver Broncos. Not only did they win to stay in control of the AFC North, but their rookie tight end Sam LaPorta also made history with his performance in the game.
LaPorta, who was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, was sensational for the Lions as he led the way in their 42-17win over the Lions. The 22-year-old tight end finished with five receptions for 56 yards and an incredible three touchdowns.
Jared Goff, who had five total passing touchdowns in the game, simply loved throwing the ball to LaPorta. And lucky for him, the rookie TE delivered time and time again.
With his performance, Sam LaPorta became just the first tight end in league history to have at least 70 receptions, 700 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in their rookie season, per the Detroit Lions PR.
Furthermore, LaPorta is only the eighth rookie tight end to have three touchdowns in a single game, and he’s the first since 2013 when Joseph Fauria did it for the Lions as well.
Overall this 2023 season, LaPorta now has 71 receptions for 758 yards and nine touchdowns. Considering his usage rate, it won’t be a surprise if those numbers drastically go up in their last three games of the campaign.
Sam LaPorta Pick Turning To Be a Good One for Detroit Lions
During the 2023 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions drew plenty of criticisms after using their first two picks to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Round 1, Pick 12) and Sam LaPorta (Round 2, Pick 34). Fans and experts alike questioned the team’s decision, especially since there isn’t much positional value that those two additions offer.
On Saturday, however, LaPorta and Gibbs combined for five touchdowns, proving the critics who doubted the team wrong.
Lions heads coach Dan Campbell made sure to remind those haters about their mistake following their Week 15 win, all while heaping praise on GM Brad Holmes, per Brad Galli.
“I’m just going to bring it back to Brad Holmes. It’s a hell of a job by him, once again. Took a lot criticism for those two picks, but they look like they’re okay. So I’m glad we got them,” Campbell shared.
With the way LaPorta and Gibbs are playing, it’s safe to say that the Lions indeed made the right choices in the draft.
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