Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown established himself as a star over his first two seasons, and tight end Sam LaPorta took a place alongside him as a prominent piece of the Detroit Lions' offense as a rookie last year. The young duo were the top two on the team in targets, receptions and receiving yards, while tying for the team lead in receiving touchdowns.
With young studs like St, Brown and LaPorta, who fit like a glove with what quarterback Jared Goff does best, the Lions don't need what some may like to call a "true" No. 1 wide receiver.
The collection of young talent the Lions have built is widely lauded and well-established. St. Brown and LaPorta are of course prominent in any accounting of that young talent.
With representation on both sides of the ball, David Kenyon of Bleacher Report recently ranked the top young duos in the NFL heading into this season. Rookies are left out, and the list includes duos who are both 26 years old or younger as of Week 1.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta take lofty place in young duos ranking
St. Brown and LaPorta come in at No. 4 in Kenyon's ranking, behind Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith (No. 1), Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle (No. 2) and C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins (No. 3). Any quarrel with where the Detroit duo is ranked aside, Kenyon gave them their props while also generally praising the young talent the Lions have.
"Throw in running back Jahymr Gibbs, and the Detroit Lions inarguably have three impressive young players. From a duo perspective, though, the focus is on pass-catchers."
"Amon-Ra St. Brown has developed into a star at receiver, earning first-team All-Pro honors after posting 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He parlayed that massive production into a recent four-year, $120 million contract extension."
"Sam LaPorta, meanwhile, enjoyed a tremendous rookie campaign. The tight end reeled in 89 passes for 889 yards and 10 scores, landing second-team All-Pro recognition."
"The core of Detroit's skill-position group is outstanding—and should be together for a long time."
St. Brown and LaPorta aren't going anywhere as core pieces of the Lions' offense, core pieces of a good, young team overall and being among the best in the league at their positions.
