Watch: Lions TE Sam LaPorta breaks rookie record with TD
Detriot Lions rookie Sam LaPorta has already blossomed into one of the best tight ends in the league.
Against the Minnesota Vikings (7-9), Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw a two-yard TD to the second-round pick out of Iowa, who broke a rookie reception record for TEs (82), which was previously held by Keith Jackson (81). The play also gave the Lions a 7-0 lead with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter.
LaPorta is part of an excellent draft class that helped the Lions (11-5) capture their first division title in 30 years. He and rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs have surpassed 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 TDs, the first rookie class to do this in franchise history.
It appears the Lions have built a solid winning foundation. They've acquired stars who could help the franchise become a perennial championship contender. As of Sunday, FanDuel gives them the eighth-best Super Bowl odds (+1900).
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