Sam LaPorta had a phenomenal rookie season playing tight end for the Detroit Lions. He set team rookie marks with 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, an incredible level of production from the second-rounder from Iowa.
That performance lands LaPorta in the top 10 of all NFL tight ends after just one season of work. But how highly does LaPorta rank around the NFL entering the 2024 season?
Our friends at Texans Wire ranked the 32 top individual tight ends in the league. It’s a look at a blend of consistent accomplishment, upside and production. Who is at the top, and how far back does LaPorta fall after just one season?
Sep 29, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs after a catch against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates with tight end George Kittle (85) during the late fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) signals fist down as Cleveland Browns linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) and Cleveland Browns cornerback Tavierre Thomas (20) look onat M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Nov 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) leaps with the ball as Houston Texans defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (56) defends during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) is defended by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams (24) as he catches a second quarter touchdown at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs with the ball against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Ariz, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) pulls in a pass for a first down during early second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Jaguars went in at the half with a 9 to 0 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23) closes in to make the tackle on Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) reacts after a first down against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) celebrates after getting a first down against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) runs with the ball past Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) scores a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch and is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) in the first half of the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs the ball against Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) makes a catch over top of Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) is tripped by Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson (21) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’Trel Clark (13) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots in the second half. The Jets lose to the Patriots, 15-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford.
Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (88) scores a touchdown despite the efforts of Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the third quarter of the wild card playoff game Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) is tackled by Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward (1) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (6) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (85) attempts to catch a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles safety Tristin McCollum (36) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium.
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (89) scores a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports