Lions roster preview: How Sam LaPorta did more with less in Year 2

Sam LaPorta’s follow-up to a historic rookie season was about refinement and efficiency—and in Year 3, he’ll be ready when his number gets called.

With so much focus on what’s to come—life after Frank Ragnow , a healthy defense making a big impression early on, and another breakout season for Jameson Williams on the horizon —it’s easy to lose sight of just how impactful Sam LaPorta was in his second season. A historic rookie campaign put him on the map, but even as the fantasy football numbers leveled off in Year 2, LaPorta quietly leveled up last season.

Anticipation is building around what this next season could bring for the Detroit Lions , and with training camp arriving sooner than it has in the past , we’re previewing each player on the team’s roster—continuing with one of the offense’s most versatile and valuable weapons in Sam LaPorta.

Previous previews: Aidan Hutchinson

Sam LaPorta

Expectations heading into 2024

Despite belonging to the same draft class that netted Detroit standout players like Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch, LaPorta’s rookie season was arguably the best of the bunch. LaPorta set the rookie record for receptions by a tight end (86), a record that had lasted for 35 years since Keith Jackson caught 81 passes in 1988. His 10 touchdown receptions made him just the third rookie tight end to catch double-digit receiving touchdowns in NFL history, joining Hall of Fame players Mike Ditka and Rob Gronkowski.

Needless to say, by establishing himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL in his debut season, LaPorta had set the bar extremely high for himself ahead of his sophomore season. He did suffer an ankle injury in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings that required offseason surgery and rehab, but LaPorta was ready to go for Week 1.

Actual role in 2024

Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated

16 games (16 starts)
Stats: 60 catches on 83 targets for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns.
PFF offensive grade: 73.8 (10th out of 45 qualifying TEs—minimum 29 targets)
PFF receiving grade: 79.1 (6th out of 45)
PFF pass blocking grade: 57.2 (56th out of 86 qualifying TEs—minimum 91 blocking snaps)
PFF run blocking grade: 55.2 (t-49th out of 86)

LaPorta’s counting stats didn’t quite reach the heights from his record-setting rookie season, leaving some to wonder why he didn’t produce at the same clip in Year 2. With only one football on the field at a time—combined with the emergence of more prominent roles and opportunities for guys like Gibbs and Jameson Williams—it’s easy to explain why we saw LaPorta’s surface numbers take a dip. But that step back from a box-score standpoint wasn’t anything that fazed the young tight end. LaPorta’s awareness of his role in the grand scheme of things, including his development as part of the run game, underscores the poise and football IQ he brings to a crowded, dynamic offense.

“I was very pleased with how my run game and the blocking came along in Year 2,” LaPorta said about his development earlier this offseason. “I felt like I was still a very polished receiver in the pass game. There were a lot of weapons last year, so I kept hearing comments this offseason, ‘Why didn’t you get the ball as much?’ It’s like, ‘Dude, we scored the most points of any team in the NFL in the last five years. Everybody deserves the ball.’”

When you look beyond the surface numbers, it becomes clear that LaPorta’s impact didn’t diminish—it evolved. In fact, he became a more efficient version of himself in 2024, making the most of fewer opportunities in the passing game.

His yards per reception jumped from 10.3 in 2023 to 12.1 in 2024, improving his rank among qualifying tight ends from 20th to ninth last season. He also cleaned up his hands, cutting his drop total from seven in 2023 (worst among tight ends) to just one in 2024—and slashing his drop rate from 7.5% to 1.6% (eighth-best). Even marginal improvements made a difference: his passer rating when targeted rose from 111.9 to 124.2, his contested-catch rate increased from 68.4% to 70%, and he added three more explosive plays from his rookie season, logging 11 receptions of 20+ yards in 2024.

Outlook for 2025

Make no mistake about it: Sam LaPorta is far from an afterthought in Detroit. He remains one of the most essential pieces to Lions offense heading into this 2025 season, and to head coach Dan Campbell, LaPorta is a piece capable of creating mismatches and putting defenses in difficult predicaments when they have to choose who to leave in one-on-one situations.

“How many ways and times can we isolate one of these guys? I think that’s what it comes down to,” Campbell said in regards to what the development of guys like Jameson Williams, Gibbs, and LaPorta mean to the way Detroit’s offense can attack a defense.

“Alright, we know we’re going to get the one-on-one with Jamo here, and these are the best routes to use him on and let him really shine and do what he does. LaPorta as well. Gibbs as well. That way, that’s fine. You want to take away (Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown) Saint? You want to take away Jamo? You take away LaPorta? Well, Gibbs, here we go.”

It’ll help, too, that LaPorta won’t have to spend time rehabbing from offseason surgery, something that he did have to spend time doing between his first and second season in the NFL. For the first time since college, the Lions’ tight end was able to enjoy some rest and relaxation in preparation for his third season.

“This (past) season, I came out pretty healthy, which is great,” LaPorta shared during OTAs. “I got to take some time off, just let my body relax for the first time since basically fall camp of my senior year at Iowa. So, it’s kinda a long stretch, but (I) took a couple weeks to relax and then hopped back on the bike and started going again.”

Having a young player like LaPorta—who not only understands his own role but is actively working to gain the perspective of the offense from his quarterback’s perspective—is a key factor in his continued growth heading into Year 3.

“Looking ahead this year, I think just continue to polish things off in the run game, the pass game,” LaPorta said. “Start to see the game from the quarterback’s perspective, what Jared [Goff] needs exactly, and maybe not just knowing what I’m doing on the field, but what other people are doing as well. Just seeing the big picture.”

LaPorta is certainly part of the big picture for the Lions’ hopes of making a Super Bowl run, not just as a pass catcher but as a complete tight end whose game continues to round into form. Now, with a healthy offseason under his belt and a deeper understanding of the offense, LaPorta looks poised to elevate his game once again.