Lions Sign TE Sam LaPorta
The Detroit Lions have signed second-round draft pick Sam LaPorta. The tight end, out of Iowa, is the sixth member of the Lions' 2023 draft class to sign with the organization.
Colby Sorsdal, Antoine Green, Hendon Hooker, Brodric Martin and Jack Campbell have each already inked their rookie deals. Only Brian Branch and Jahmyr Gibbs remain unsigned from the Lions' draft class.
According to NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell, LaPorta "has the look and feel of a 10-year NFL TE with his compact route running and his ability to work the middle of the field effectively, including the play speed to run the vertical seam and the deep corner and go routes."
He was a successful piece of Iowa's otherwise struggling offense in 2022. Last season, he caught 58 passes for 657 yards and one score.
In his collegiate career, he totaled 153 receptions for 1,786 yards and five touchdowns.
He follows in the footsteps of plenty of Iowa greats at his position. Among the current Hawkeyes tight ends in the NFL are George Kittle, Noah Fant and Lions 2019 first-round pick T.J. Hockenson.
LaPorta will be viewed as a replacement for Hockenson. The veteran tight end was dealt to the Minnesota Vikings at the 2022 trade deadline.
At the Lions' open portion of rookie minicamp, LaPorta was among the most impressive performers. He will compete with Brock Wright to start in his first NFL season.
"LaPorta is not as big as you'd ideally like at the TE position but he is a smooth fluid athlete with the versatility to line up in multiple locations within the formation and he showed both the route quickness on multiple routes to create separation at the top of his stem and the commitment to run blocking that is demanded," Cosell told the Lions' team website. "LaPorta was a strong run blocker both attached and detached from the formation and at times in the backfield."
