The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in football this year, as Dan Campbell's squad is 12-1 and has a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles for the No.1 seed in the NFC through 14 weeks. Detroit will host the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 at Ford Field in a potential Super Bowl preview.
The Lions' offense is having another successful season under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, as the unit leads the league in points per game (32.1) and is second in yards per game (394.8) behind the Baltimore Ravens. Though Detroit's offense has been dynamic in 2024, tight end Sam LaPorta is having a disappointing sophomore campaign.
LaPorta had a historic rookie season in 2023, totaling 86 catches for 889 yards and ten touchdowns. In 12 games this year, the 23-year-old has hauled in just 36 receptions for 445 yards and five touchdowns. LaPorta has yet to garner over seven targets in a single game this season and hasn't been an integral part of the team's passing attack.
Though the former Iowa standout is still one of the most promising young tight ends in the NFL, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso predicts the Lions will select Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in the 2025 NFL Draft to pair with LaPorta.
"Warren and Sam LaPorta would be a tremendous combination in Detroit catching passes from Jared Goff," Trapasso says.
Warren has had a breakout 2024 campaign with Penn State, posting 88 catches for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. The senior has totaled 17 touchdowns in his collegiate career but didn't see significant playing time until 2023.
Though tight end isn't a pressing need for the Lions, the team doesn't have many weaknesses, and general manager Brad Holmes has a history of taking the best player available instead of drafting based on need, as Holmes took running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No.12 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft despite signing David Montgomery to a three-year deal that offseason.
Overall, Tyler Warren would bring a nice mix of physicality and big play ability to the Lions' offense, and a tight-end duo of LaPorta and Warren would be lethal.
