Opinions varied on how the Detroit Lions did during the 2023 NFL Draft. Some analysts thought they did a great job adding talented football players to their roster that could be immediate contributors. Others thought they reached for needs, missing when it came to value.
Based on how the 2023 season has gone, it would be hard to argue against the former being correct. Regardless of where the players were selected, the Lions have a strong crop of rookies that have immediately positively impacted the team when it comes to winning.
One of those players has been tight end Sam LaPorta. While not as highly regarded as other prospects in this year’s draft class, such as Dalton Kincaid and Michael Mayer, LaPorta has been by far the most impactful.
In Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, LaPorta was a touchdown machine. He scored three times, catching five passes for 56 yards overall. It was the second multi-touchdown game of his rookie season, as the Iowa product has quickly cemented himself as one of the best players in the league at the tight end position.
In the process of the Lions’ dismantling of the Broncos in a 42-17 victory, LaPorta made some NFL history. He became the first rookie tight end to record at least 70 receptions, 750 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in a season.
Impressively, those plateaus have been reached in only 14 games. With three more remaining, he has a chance to increase those plateaus. On the season, he has caught 71 passes for 758 yards and nine touchdowns and he could set all-time records in the coming weeks.
Keith Jackson has the single-season record for receptions by a rookie tight end with 81, set in 1988. LaPorta is currently sixth on the all-time receiving yards list, as Mike Ditka holds the record with 1,076 yards. The touchdown record is held by Ditka with 12, set in 1961. LaPorta is third on that list, with Rob Gronkowski being the only player with more with 10.
The 2023 season is shaping up to be a special one for the Lions. Not only is LaPorta on track to re-write the league’s record book, but the team is having a ton of success as well. At 10-4, they have all but sewn up a playoff spot.
A victory in Week 16 over the Minnesota Vikings would make it official, as the Lions would clinch a playoff spot. They would clinch more than a playoff spot, taking home the NFC North division crown as well. It would be their division title since the 1993 season when they won the NFC Central.