Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Tyler Warren

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.

Tuesday, June 24, 2:27 PM

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren is expected to be a major contributor in his rookie season, according to ESPN reporter Stephen Holder. While it could be assumed the Penn State product would have a major role as the team's No. 14 overall pick, it often takes time for tight ends to develop in the NFL, despite the recent successes of first-year tight ends Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta. "It was practically impossible to watch an Indianapolis practice and not notice how often Warren touched the football. Any doubts about him having a notable role were erased in the first week of OTAs, when he could be seen running drag routes or matching up with linebackers in the middle of the field," Holder wrote. "The Colts had a league-low 39 receptions from their tight ends last season, but expect that to improve." While Warren's quarterback situation is less than ideal with either Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson throwing him passes in 2025, he could see heavy volume in the short or intermediate areas of the field. Based on his current ADP, he's available in the 11th round of 12-team leagues, so if you believe in his upside, he is not difficult to acquire.