Lions tight end whose rookie record-breaking 2023 season made him an immediate Pro Bowl fixture.
Sam LaPorta set the NFL rookie tight end record with 86 receptions in 2023. The 2025 season delivered another 800 yards and 8 TDs on a 14-3 Detroit offense. He's a third-down chain mover and a red-zone target, and Jared Goff trusts him to win contested catches.
Path to the league
Iowa tight end who slid to the 34th pick in 2023 due to limited college production. Lions took him in the second round and made him the starter from Day 1. Set the rookie tight end reception record at 86, breaking Keith Jackson's 1988 mark.
Career highlights
2x Pro Bowl (2023, 2024). 2023 NFL rookie tight end reception record (86). 2023 All-Rookie team. 2,500-plus career receiving yards. Lions franchise records for receptions by a tight end in his first two seasons.
2025 season recap
78 catches for 820 yards and 8 TDs. Detroit went 14-3 and reached the NFC Championship. LaPorta's receiving role expanded as Jameson Williams handled deep shots and St. Brown stayed underneath. He caught a Wild Card touchdown that helped Detroit advance.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sam LaPorta
- Pro Football Reference: Sam LaPorta
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
9 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | lions | 9 | 40 | 489 | 12.2 | 3 | 40 |
| 2024 | lions | 16 | 60 | 726 | 12.1 | 7 | 52 |
| 2023 | lions | 17 | 86 | 889 | 10.3 | 10 | 48 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | lions | 17 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Iowa
- Hometown
- Highland, IL, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
