The Detroit Lions didn't have anyone on the NFL top 100 players list in the first drop on Monday. That went from 100 to 81. They didn't have to wait much longer though because tight end Sam LaPorta made the list on Tuesday in the 80th spot.
If you're not familiar with the list, this is voted on purely by NFL players. So it's a big deal to get this praise from your peers.
He definitely got some high praise from those peers. Dolphins' wide receiver Tyreek Hill said he believes that Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the league and that the closest guy to him in that guy in Detroit.
Seahawks' tight end Noah Fant and Jaguars tight end Evan Engram both said he didn't look like a rookie out there. Penei Sewell said "I love that guy."
They're right. LaPorta went out there and did what rookie tight ends just never seem to do. He set the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end, came close to the yards record and came two short of tying the touchdown record set by Mike Ditka. He got All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for that huge season.
2024 is going to be a big year for him because now there will be expectations and he's going to have to make sure he doesn't have the sophomore slump that most of the tight ends that have done what he has done have had in the past.
LaPorta is the first tight end to make the list for the Lions since T.J. Hockenson did it in 2020. He was ranked 93rd.
