Targeted on 54.8% of his in-breaking routes this season (2nd in NFL, min. 20 routes) | 163 yards (leads TE)

Sam LaPorta hauled in 2 of his 3 targets for 40 yards in the seams against the Packers in Week 4

Totals 56 yards

LaPorta caught four of five targets for 56 yards during Thursday's 34-20 win over Green Bay.

Analysis: LaPorta looked like he was on his way to a big night after getting loose for a 35-yard gain within the game's opening minutes. While he received another four targets before halftime, he didn't see another pass come his way in the second half with Detroit protecting a large lead with the run game -- and successfully limiting Green Bay to less than three minutes of fourth-quarter offense in the process. While this muted finish is disappointing for LaPorta's production, through three weeks only 12…read more

Continues to impress

LaPorta caught eight of 11 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-6 win over the Falcons.

Analysis: LaPorta got wide open for a 45-yard touchdown during the second quarter, marking the first end-zone trip of his bright young career. The rookie second-rounder has increased his targets and yardage in each week this season, emerging as an immediate contributor behind top wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown in the passing game. With his stock on the rise, LaPorta faces a quick turnaround ahead of Thursday night's game at the Packers.

Makes five grabs

LaPorta caught five of six targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 37-31 overtime loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: LaPorta was one of four Lions pass catchers with at least five grabs. The rookie second-rounder has immediately emerged as a nice complementary target for quarterback Jared Goff, hauling in 10 of his 11 looks thus far. That dependability puts LaPorta's value on the rise ahead of Week 3's matchup versus the Falcons.

Operates as clear No. 1 tight end

LaPorta caught five of five targets for 39 yards during Thursday's 21-20 win over the Chiefs.

Analysis: Although he may not be a significant fantasy factor yet, LaPorta looked like a natural receiver in his first career regular-season game. It could be an issue for fantasy purposes if he has more blocking responsibilities than most stars at the tight end position considering LaPorta only ran a route on about 70 percent of his snaps, but the Iowa product drew a target on about a fifth of them en route to finishing fourth in targets behind Amon-Ra St. Brown (nine), Josh Reynolds (seven) and Marvin…read more

Should contribute in Year 1

LaPorta has made the most of his first-team reps with quarterback Jared Goff this summer and is projected to be an immediate starter as a rookie, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN.

Analysis: LaPorta having emerged as Detroit's top option at tight end is a notion echoed by Kyle Meinke of Mlive.com, who previously suggested that the second-rounder out of Iowa has claimed the starting job and thus should be a featured weapon in the team's passing game in 2023. While it remains to be seen how much volume LaPorta sees out of the gate, the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder has a chance to make a fantasy splash as a first-year pro if things continue to click with him and Goff as the campaign…read more

Goose egg in first game

LaPorta didn't catch his only target in Friday's 21-16 preseason win over the Giants.

Analysis: LaPorta has been working with the first-team offense in training camp, but the rookie second-round pick failed to make much of an impression in his first NFL action. The tight end will look to get more involved in Detroit's second preseason game against the Jaguars as he looks to earn a prominent role in the offense out of the gate.

Earns first-team spot

LaPorta has already climbed the depth chart and is line to be the Lions' top tight end at the beginning of the regular season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis: The second-round pick worked with backups early in spring practices, but offensive coordinator Ben Johnson confirmed Wednesday that LaPorta has quickly "earned the right" to be in the first-team huddle. LaPorta's rise up the depth chart happened before the start of contact practices, which means a lot can change before Week 1. Even so, the uninspired list of tight end alternatives in Detroit suggests LaPorta is probably the best man for the job. The other options are Brock Wright, James…read more