The Detroit Lions are on their way to a playoff berth and NFC North title after improving to 10-4 on the season. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is a major reason why.
LaPorta has been one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL this season, tallying 71 catches and 758 receiving yards, which rank second on the Lions behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, and nine touchdown catches, which rank first. His chemistry with Jared Goff has helped Detroit score 27.3 points per game, the fifth-highest mark in the league.
The latest product of the University of Iowa’s factory of tight ends, which has produced the likes of George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, LaPorta is having a rookie season better than all of them. In fact, he’s one of the best rookie TEs ever. After a performance against the Denver Broncos that saw him score a pair of touchdowns, LaPorta became the first rookie tight end in NFL history to record 700 receiving yards, 70 receptions and eight touchdowns.