It is not unexpected that Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is still being praised by his colleagues following the conclusion of this year’s Tight End U. Travis Kelce recently commended the second-year TE for his outstanding performance in Year 1 and expressed anticipation for what he will bring in Year
How does Sam LaPorta compare to other current NFL TEs in terms of ranking?
At a minimum, I believe LaPorta has established himself as one of the league’s top five tight ends. In fact, I would argue that he is already nearing the level of elite players like Travis Kelce and George Kittle, who currently occupy the top two positions.
LaPorta still needs to demonstrate consistency and continue producing the impressive numbers he posted during his rookie season, but I have no doubt he can achieve this. The synergy between him and Jared Goff will only strengthen, and I can foresee him surpassing 90 receptions and 1,000 yards in 2024. Such a performance would almost certainly place him in the conversation as the NFL’s best tight end. Although LaPorta did not accumulate as many yards as Kelce or Kittle last year, he scored 10 touchdowns, just one fewer than the combined total of Kelce and Kittle.
To complete the top five, I would rank Mark Andrews and T.J. Hockenson just behind LaPorta. Andrews is a reliable tight end who consistently delivers solid numbers and excels in blocking, much like Kittle. While Hockenson’s statistics can rival LaPorta’s, I believe LaPorta’s superior ball-handling skills and reliability as a target set him apart. The competition between these two is close, but it’s clear that the Lions are pleased with their tight end situation over the past few years.
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