The emergence of Sam LaPorta in 2023 came as a surprise to many in NFL fantasy. The Detroit Lions tight end exploded into form, becoming the TE1 across STD, PPR and HPPR formats. With many having taken Travis Kelce early in the first round, LaPorta was lights out for multiple weeks and is expected to challenge for the TE1 rank once more.
Fantasy Pros have Sam LaPorta as the TE1 for the 2024 season, with an average draft position of 22. This is certainly interesting, and it highlights the notion that Travis Kelce may be on the decline. Going for Laporta as early as No. 22 feels like a considerable risk. While he had a fantastic rookie season, he did suffer a hyperextended knee, defenses will be scheming for him and there are always concerns of a sophomore slump.
Depending on the size of your league, you might be able to get LaPorta in the third round at 22nd, or even at a slightly later pick. A third-rounder would be much better value, and if TEs slide to the third in your draft, the consensus is Travis Kelce will go after LaPorta, and you’d be in safe hands with either.
Sam LaPorta’s 2024 NFL fantasy outlook: What numbers to expect from the Lions TE?
The good news in 2023 was that the worrying knee injury that saw Sam LaPorta in Week 18 was far better than it looked and the TE played in all of Detroit’s three playoff games. Looking at the 2023 regular season, LaPorta was targeted 120 times (3 fewer than David Njoku), recording 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 TDs. The idea that numbers should always improve can cause unrealistic targets. Yes, LaPorta could improve on this in 2024, but it isn’t wise to bank on it, what with injuries and the myriad of other factors that can affect a TE’s production.
As the Lions didn’t make any major moves for offensive weapons in the 2024 NFL draft (other than RB Sione Vaki at 132nd) or free agency, expect a similar style of offense, which bodes well for LaPorta. If he stays healthy, he could break the 1,000-yard barrier, but 850 yards and 9 TDs feels like a safer baseline.