As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy football values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty value of TE Sam LaPorta after the Detroit Lions selected him.
Sam LaPorta’s Dynasty Outlook and Value
The 2023 rookie tight end class is considered one of the strongest in recent memory. In the early second round, the Lions made LaPorta the second tight end off the board.
From a landing spot perspective, you can’t ask for a better one. Rookie tight ends are notoriously unproductive, but if one is going to hit the ground running, it would be a guy in LaPorta’s position.
With Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra as the top two incumbents, there’s a very real chance LaPorta can claim the starting job in short order, perhaps out of the gate.
The Lions are perilously thin at pass catcher behind stud WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown. They are a pass-first offense with an immobile quarterback in Jared Goff, so there won’t be any targets lost to scrambles.
MORE: FREE 2024 NFL Mock Draft Simulator
We know St. Brown will lead this team in targets, but the Lions have no clear No. 2. Jameson Williams‘ rookie year suggests he won’t ever emerge into anything more than a rotational player. Plus, he’s missing the first six games of the season due to suspension. Meanwhile, Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond are role players, and Marvin Jones Jr. is 33 years old.
It wouldn’t be a total shock if Jahmyr Gibbs wound up second on this team in targets. It also wouldn’t be a total shock if it wound up being LaPorta.
Iowa tight ends have a pretty good track record. They’ve given us George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant.
LaPorta is just 22 years old and is an elite athlete across the board. He’s got good college production, with over 650 receiving yards in his final two seasons. For what it’s worth, LaPorta’s college production profile is better than both Kittle’s and Hockenson’s. He checks all three boxes: situation, opportunity, and talent.
Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Ranking
Tight ends are historically bad investments in dynasty rookie drafts. Almost all of them decrease in value from year one to year two. Even the best ones are often best acquired after their rookie seasons. For that reason, LaPorta is a tricky evaluation.
In an ideal world, you would let someone else draft LaPorta and then trade for him after this season. But a trade is not a guarantee. And I do believe in LaPorta emerging into a fantasy TE1, even if it’s not this season.
MORE: 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
LaPorta currently sits in at 2.04 in our dynasty Superflex rookie rankings. He’s the TE2 behind the Bills’ Dalton Kincaid. Where we have LaPorta ranked is right after the QBs and WRs you mostly feel good about. At that point, your odds of hitting on a rookie pick likely drop.
Given LaPorta’s talent profile, combined with the potential to produce right away, he’s well worth selecting at his ADP. With how weak the TE position is, LaPorta is a better pick than most veteran tight ends in dynasty startup drafts, too.
