An impressive rookie season by Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta not only has Lions fans excited about the future, but fantasy managers are equally enthusiastic about the potential in Year 2.
Here is LaPorta’s fantasy football outlook entering the 2024 season.
Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
The Lions had one of the league’s most explosive offenses in 2023, ranking in the top five in scoring (27.1 PPG, fifth), total yards (394.8 YPG, third), passing yards (258.9 YPG, second), and rushing yards (135.9 YPG, fifth).
LaPorta turned out to be a big part of the Lions’ success, particularly in the passing game. On a team that featured one of the NFL’s best receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown (119 receptions, 1,515 yards, and 10 TD) and another solid rookie contributor in the passing game in running back Jahmyr Gibbs (52 receptions), LaPorta was still able to put up impressive numbers of his own.
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LaPorta had 86 receptions for 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions. No other tight end in the NFL had more than six touchdown catches last season. One area of concern with LaPorta, at least when it comes to production in the end zone, is his home and road splits.
Nine of LaPorta’s 10 touchdown receptions came in Detroit. And, given how Lions quarterback Jared Goff has home and road splits that heavily favor playing at home, there’s no guarantee that this will even out for LaPorta.
LaPorta led all tight ends in total fantasy points (239.3), and his 14.1 fantasy PPG average ranked third among tight ends. But as might be expected from a rookie, LaPorta’s consistency was an issue in 2023.
While his fantasy PPG average was high, his fantasy production was up and down all season. LaPorta had as many games with at least 15 fantasy points (seven) as he had games with fewer than 10 fantasy points.
Is LaPorta a Good Fantasy Pick?
LaPorta is the No. 1 tight end in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 23.
There is every reason for fantasy managers to feel comfortable projecting some big numbers for LaPorta in Year 2. All of the key weapons from last season for Detroit are back this season, and while St. Brown and Gibbs will be featured players in the Lions’ passing game, so will LaPorta.
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LaPorta is probably the only tight end worth taking in the early rounds of fantasy drafts. While a first-round pick is likely too high, fantasy managers who want to grab LaPorta in the bottom of the second round probably can justify the pick.
