Sam LaPorta cements place among elite NFL tight ends until further notice

With one of the most talent-laden rosters in the NFL, it's no surprise the Detroit Lions have been featured prominently in ESPN's top-10 positional rankings surveying league executives, coaches and scouts as they continue to come out.

Sam LaPorta would clearly be on the list of top-10 tight ends in the league, since he made it last year after his record-setting rookie season, it's just a matter of where he'd land. A drop-off in production in Year 2 was notable, but a late surge as he was clearly healthier than he was early in the season cannot be ignored as the 2025 season approaches.

Friday, ESPN's tight end rankings for 2025 came out. LaPorta came in at No. 3 on this year's list, one spot above where he was last year despite the aforementioned drop in production.

Jeremy Fowler noted how LaPorta was operating at less than 100 percent for a chunk of the season.

"LaPorta's production dipped in Year 2, when he finished with 60 catches for 726 yards and seven scores. He fought through a knee issue -- a hyperextension and bone bruise -- that slowed momentum."

"But he's every bit as valuable as he was in 2023, and Detroit had several additional playmakers for whom to find targets. LaPorta is considered a complete tight end with elite feet, niftiness in the red zone and strength to compete every play."

Sam LaPorta cements his place among the best tight ends in the NFL until further notice

An NFC executive concisely set aside the idea that raw production is the only reflection of LaPorta's value and impact.

"[Lack of production is] not really a factor because Detroit has so many players they need to get the ball to," an NFC executive said. "He's a stud. Will be a cornerstone player for a long time."

Fowler noted how Lions offensive coordinator John Morton has been an NFL tight ends coach, albeit for one season (2004 with the Oakland Raiders). Perhaps more importantly, as Fowler also noted, head coach Dan Campbell is a former tight end with a clear affinity for the position if he happened to step into play-calling.

An AFC scout summed up how LaPorta rose in this year's rankings despite having less production last year.

"He doesn't have a lot of weaknesses -- good at just about everything. If you want a complete tight end, he fits the bill."

There's a changing of the guard going on at tight end, as some (Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews) start to age-out and make way for younger guys. With that in mind, LaPorta's time being regarded as one of the best tight ends in the league is only starting.

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