Sam LaPorta Ranked Inside Top 5 TEs by NFL Execs

LaPorta’s Injury and Recovery

Sam LaPorta suffered a season‑ending back injury that required surgery last November to repair a herniated disc. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said the tight end is “trending the right way” as he heads into the 2026 training camp. LaPorta is now rehabbing and working toward a full comeback.

What the NFL Survey Says

ESPN conducted a poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts, and LaPorta emerged as the No. 4 tight end in the league despite playing only nine games this season. Evaluators noted his open‑field playmaking stayed elite: a 2.25‑yard average after first contact per reception and a 6.9‑yard average after the catch, both tops among the top‑10 TEs. An NFC scout, quoted by ESPN, praised his “great hands” and “high‑level” blocking, calling him “just an all‑around problem.”

Season‑by‑Season Snapshot

Before the injury, LaPorta set the NFL rookie tight‑end record with 86 receptions in 2023 and posted 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. That campaign earned him second‑team All‑Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. In 2024, still adjusting to the league, he collected 60 catches, 726 yards and seven scores.

Where LaPorta Stands Among the Elite

During the ESPN ranking, LaPorta’s best ballot support placed him at No. 3. The top three tight ends were Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 1), Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals (No. 2) and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers (No. 3). Even with reduced volume, scouts view him as a potential top‑three talent once healthy.

Outlook for 2026

The league’s evaluators believe LaPorta will return to his pre‑injury form, setting up a crucial training camp for the Detroit Lions. If the recovery stays on track, he could challenge for a top‑10 spot and add depth to a crowded tight‑end class. Fans and staff will be watching closely as he works his way back onto the field.