The Detroit Lions selected Iowa State’s Sam Laporta with the 34th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions selected Iowa’s Sam Laporta with the 34th overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft. LaPorta becomes the second consecutive Iowa Hawkeye selection by the Lions after selecting linebacker Jack Campbell 18th overall on Day 1 of the draft. You can read more about what Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz had to say about the selection here.
My grade: B+
It’s easy to start ranting about place value after the first day’s hit, but I don’t think that’s an issue here. I think Laporta is an incredible value in this selection. He’s equal parts blocker and formidable catcher, and is the opposite of the last Iowa tight end that was for Detroit in TJ Hockenson.
LaPorta is an elite athlete who is an able and willing blocker. He’s a great passer too, but he excels at things where Hawkinson has weaknesses. LaPorta isn’t great on contested catches, but he finds ways to make room and was the best tight end in the country when it came to forcing missed tackles last season. I wouldn’t be worried about Laporta’s lack of elite stats in 2022 given the absolute train wreck he was. Iowa Hawkeyes crime all year round.
The Lions have made it clear in the latter half of 2022 that they can get their lesser tight ends in an open space. Brock Wright has been planned really well and if Laporta can get the same chances he will excel after the catches.
I have a slight reservation about spending this capital project on the narrow end. The Detroit Lions made it clear after trading Hockenson that they could be an elite offense without having an elite tight end. If you can get rid of the need to spend a lot of capital on any position in the NFL, you have a huge staff. For me, the Lions made it clear that the tight end wasn’t important in their offense, and I hoped they’d continue to ride that into 2023. They chose otherwise, which is totally understandable, but not the path I would have taken, which is why I give a slight hit on the class.
Beyond that, the lions are now armed and loaded at a tight end. They have two very good center players at Laporta and sophomore James Mitchell, who is coming off his first season this fall. things are looking good For the lions in the center and I love the player And Check here.
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