Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta saw a sizable drop in targets, catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns from his rookie campaign in 2023 to his sophomore season in 2024. However, LaPorta battled injuries early in the year and was much better down the stretch, earning at least six targets in each of Detroit's final seven games of the season. LaPorta gets a matchup with the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, whose defense tied for the sixth-fewest touchdowns allowed to tight ends (four) in 2024. The 24-year-old has recorded 16 catches for 185 yards and one score in four career games against Green Bay. Given that the Packers project to have a fearsome pass rush, the Lions may be forced to rely on play-action and passes to the short and intermediate areas of the field. That would likely benefit LaPorta, who is battling with deep-threat wide receiver Jameson Williams for the number two target role in Detroit behind All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. LaPorta is a must-start fantasy TE1 in Week 1.
Sep 5, 2025 5:38 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. LaPorta has been held out of practices recently with a minor undisclosed issue, but it was never considered serious. It's unclear if he'll make his debut this preseason in the finale on Saturday against the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old former second-rounder (34th overall) in 2023 out of Iowa put himself on the fantasy map right away in his rookie campaign with an 86-889-10 line in 17 games (14 starts). He took a slight step backwards in his sophomore season with a 60-726-7 line in 16 regular-season starts. LaPorta has plenty of competition in a still stacked Lions offense which will be run by new offensive coordinator John Morton. However, in one of the top offenses in the league, LaPorta should be considered a top-five fantasy TE.
Aug 19, 2025 1:18 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) will be sidelined for "a little bit of time here", according to head coach Dan Campbell. The team did not elaborate on LaPorta's injury, only that he'd be held out of joint practices with the Miami Dolphins. He will likely sit out Saturday's preseason game. Campbell said that the injury isn't a major one, so it doesn't appear like LaPorta is at risk of missing any regular-season games. Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra will move up the depth chart and work as the team's top two tight ends until LaPorta returns. The 24-year-old finished the 2024 season as the TE8 with 60 catches, 726 yards, and seven touchdowns, and is ranked as a top-five fantasy football tight end entering his third season.
Aug 14, 2025 11:13 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had high praise for first-year offensive coordinator John Morton with the team set to open training camp this weekend. There have been some concerns that the Detroit offense will take a step back now that star play-caller Ben Johnson is the head coach in Chicago, but LaPorta does not share those worries. LaPorta told Jim Rome on Wednesday that Morton is a "brilliant mind" and went on to say, "I think he's gonna call the offense great." It remains to be seen whether Morton changes player roles, usage, and formations in his first year calling the plays, but the Detroit offense is loaded with talented players. Detroit should continue to be a fantasy goldmine for the 2025 season.
Jul 17, 2025 8:36 AM EST
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta has been a standout during voluntary organized team activities this offseason. Campbell also praised plenty of other Lions players, but LaPorta is a notable one after he took a step back in Year 2 in 2024 with a 60-726-7 line in 16 regular-season starts. As a Pro Bowler in his rookie campaign, the 24-year-old went for 86 receptions on 120 targets for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (14 starts). The former second-rounder (34th overall) in 2023 out of Iowa finished the year better, but there are just a lot of mouths to feed in Detroit's offense. The Lions will be run by new offensive coordinator John Morton in 2025, but LaPorta should still be a go-to red zone target for quarterback Jared Goff as a high-end TE1.
Jun 5, 2025 6:21 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught six of his seven targets for 51 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. His touchdown came at the end of an impressive offensive play in which Jared Goff scrambled, threw while being tackled, and connected with LaPorta, who used his left hand to haul in the football and secure the catch. It was a valiant effort to give the Lions their only receiving touchdown of the game, but it wasn't enough. Detroit fell to Washington by two scores, ending their season shy of a Super Bowl berth once again. With that said, this Lions team continues to show plenty of promise ahead of the 2025 campaign. LaPorta himself was riding a hot stretch when the season ended, catching 38 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns over his last seven contests. He should continue to rank as a mid-range TE1 ahead of next summer's fantasy drafts.
Jan 19, 2025 12:27 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta remains a top option for fantasy managers and bettors ahead of Saturday's playoff game against the Washington Commanders. The second-year tight end exploded down the stretch, finishing as the overall TE3 in half-PPR leagues. He had two touchdowns over his final three games, and he amassed 24 catches for 281 yards over his last four contests. The Commanders have performed in a peculiar fashion against tight ends this year, surrendering the third-fewest catches and fifth-fewest receiving yards to opposing tight ends in 2024. Most important, however, is that Washington surrendered the fifth-most touchdowns to the position. LaPorta has a very strong chance to feast, especially as he continues to carve out an even larger role around the goal line.
Jan 17, 2025 1:20 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta played a large role in helping the Lions secure the NFC's top seed, both this weekend and over a greater stretch of games. In fact, over the final six weeks of the regular season, he ranked first among tight ends in fantasy points (tied with Trey McBride). It was impressive to watch the 23-year-old overcome a tough start to 2024 and finish the season as one of fantasy football's most productive, impactful tight ends. He should remain in the mid-range TE1 tier for 2025, and this season should serve as a reminder to fantasy managers that LaPorta is a top fantasy option regardless of whether his role in the Detroit offense takes a little while to develop.
Jan 6, 2025 1:09 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta played better as a rookie. But after a rough start to the 2024-25 campaign, the 23-year-old has finally put together a decent season, totaling 53 catches for 663 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also found the end zone in each of his previous two contests. With the Minnesota Vikings on tap for Week 18, LaPorta will look to find the end zone for the third time in as many weeks. Granted, he's not as safe as he was last season. Still, LaPorta deserves attention in any fantasy format, especially with increased involvement potentially on the horizon due to the absence of David Montgomery (knee).
Jan 3, 2025 9:02 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught six of his eight targets for 64 yards and one touchdown during Monday's Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. LaPorta had a relatively quiet and inconsistent start to the season, but he has come on incredibly strong lately, posting double-digit fantasy points in each of his last five contests. In fact, he ranks as the overall TE1 since Week 13, scoring 6.6 points more than the second-highest tight end scorer, Trey McBride. As long as the Lions' offense keeps surging, LaPorta should remain an integral contributor within the passing attack. His ability to command targets, catch passes, rack up yardage, and score touchdowns parallels the NFL's elite tight ends, like McBride, Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Brock Bowers. Fantasy managers should continue to view LaPorta as a mid-to-high TE1 option for Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Dec 31, 2024 12:33 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is a strong play in Week 17 when his team lines up against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The second-year pro began the year dreadfully slow but has come around of late. LaPorta had not earned more than six targets in a game this season until Week 14 and has now done so each week since. Additionally, he's recorded four or more receptions in all three games -- something he'd done just three times prior this season. He'll get a tough outing this week in a San Francisco defense that's allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends (9.1). Still, the Iowa alum has received more work recently and is the TE3 in PPR formats since Week 14. Fire him up as RotoBaller's PPR TE5 ahead of this week's slate of action.
Dec 27, 2024 9:07 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta found the end zone once again against Chicago as the Lions defeated the Bears 34-17 on Sunday afternoon. LaPorta caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. He hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass on a memorable fake which saw quarterback Jared Goff stumble and running back Jahmyr Gibbs dive on the ground as if the ball had been fumbled. Goff then regained his feet and threw a dart to LaPorta for the touchdown in what appeared to be a planned misdirection. Last game against the Bears in Detroit in Week 13, LaPorta scored two touchdowns and he was able to add another one this week in Chicago.
Dec 22, 2024 6:43 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta hasn't had the monster season that many were predicting but he has made some strides over the last few weeks. Ahead of Week 16 at the Chicago Bears, LaPorta is looking like a good option at the tight end position. The Iowa product scored two touchdowns in the Thanksgiving matchup between the Lions and Bears in Detroit. The Bears are about middle of the pack against tight ends in fantasy points allowed, so LaPorta looks like a promising threat to score a touchdown in this matchup. In his last four games, LaPorta has seen at least six targets in each game and saw 10 targets against Buffalo last week. An increased role along with his red-zone prowess makes LaPorta a favorable start at the tight end position in the fantasy playoffs.
Dec 21, 2024 9:17 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta saw a season-high 10 targets in Week 15's loss to the Buffalo Bills. LaPorta caught seven passes for 111 yards in the contest but did not find the end zone. It was his first game this season with more than 100 receiving yards and the seven catches were also a season-high. LaPorta had a productive game in this one as the Lions were forced to throw the ball a lot in this game. The versatile tight end was held out of the end zone but had his most productive statistical night of the season. In a thin tight-end landscape for fantasy, LaPorta looks like one of the more reliable options at the position.
Dec 15, 2024 8:50 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has seen an uptick in targets lately but his fantasy success is largely based on whether he finds the end zone in a given week. He has seen at least six targets in four of his last five games, but his high for receiving yards was 66 against the Texans in Week 10. Against the Bears, LaPorta scored 15.60 fantasy points in PPR leagues when he caught three passes for six yards and two touchdowns. LaPorta is fighting for looks in the crowded Lions' offense but is still a nice red-zone threat. The tight-end landscape is very thin, so LaPorta still makes for a decent play at the position against a Bills defense that is good at limiting damage to opposing tight ends. The Bills defense is allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. LaPorta will reward fantasy managers if he finds the end zone, but that is a risky proposition this week.
Dec 14, 2024 9:43 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught five of his seven targets for 54 yards in a 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night in Week 14. LaPorta finished second on the team in receiving, continuing his recent surge in production. After a largely underwhelming season, the veteran tight end seems to be finding his rhythm, recording double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games for the first time this year. With three touchdowns and two games of at least 54 yards over his past four contests, LaPorta has worked his way back into the low-end TE1 conversation. He'll look to stay productive as the Lions host the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.
Dec 6, 2024 10:45 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta will remain a focal point in Jared Goff's passing attack as the Lions gear up for a Thursday night showdown with the Packers in Week 14. LaPorta is coming off a mixed outing against Chicago, where he turned three receptions into just six yards but salvaged his fantasy value with two touchdowns. While his yardage production has dipped this season averaging 35.5 yards per game compared to 52.3 as a rookie LaPorta's red-zone presence keeps him relevant in fantasy. Green Bay presents a favorable matchup for tight ends, allowing the sixth-most receptions and yards per game to the position. This could be the perfect opportunity for LaPorta to build on his 2024 campaign.
Dec 4, 2024 8:52 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught three passes for just six yards but managed to find the end zone twice in the Lions' 23-20 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 13. LaPorta's touchdowns were crucial for both the Lions' victory and his fantasy output, tying his second-highest fantasy performance of the season. While the volume left much to be desired, his red zone involvement keeps him as a streamable option moving forward. LaPorta will look to retain his scoring streak when Detroit hosts the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 14.
Nov 29, 2024 10:07 AM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta will look to step up as the Lions host the Chicago Bears in Week 13. In his first game back from a shoulder injury, LaPorta was targeted six times third most on the team but managed just three receptions for 19 yards. It marked the fourth time this season he's been held under 30 receiving yards, continuing a season where he's reached double-digit fantasy points only three times. The Bears defense has been vulnerable to tight ends, allowing the 10th-most receiving yards per game to the position. With another week to recover, LaPorta has a favorable matchup to improve his production and return to form as a key part of Detroit's passing attack. In Week 13, he remains a low-end TE option for fantasy managers.
Nov 27, 2024 5:33 PM EST
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta struggled again in the team's 24-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. The second-year tight end caught three of six targets for just 19 yards, continuing a disappointing stretch of performances. LaPorta has surpassed nine fantasy points in only four games this season and has exceeded 50 receiving yards just three times. His limited involvement remains a concern, with only three games featuring four or more receptions. Despite his early promise, LaPorta has been a volatile fantasy option in 2024. He'll aim to turn things around in a Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Chicago Bears in Week 13.
Nov 24, 2024 9:32 PM EST
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