Who Should I Start? Kyle Pitts or Sam LaPorta

Tuesday, July 15, 9:28 PM

There have been no rumors indicating that an extension for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is on the team's radar, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The former number four overall pick in the 2021 draft, Pitts has been a disappointment relative to the hype he received as a prospect. Last season, Pitts logged 47 catches for 602 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. The four touchdowns were actually a career-high for the 24-year-old, who has 10 receiving touchdowns in 61 career games played. Pitts enters 2025 on the last year of his rookie contract. He's still the presumptive starter for Atlanta heading into training camp, but the news that he's not in the team's long-term plans could mean his role in the offense will continue to be de-emphasized.

Thursday, June 5, 6:21 PM

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.