Pride of Detroit
An ESPN survey of NFL coaches, executives, and scouts reveal that Detroit Lions TE is top three at his position.
ESPN is continuing its top-10 positional series, as voted on by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, and the Detroit Lions continue to dominate the lists. They’ve already nabbed a duo of top-five safeties, a top-10 edge defender, and a top-three running back.
On Friday’s list, ESPN revealed the top-10 tight ends list, and Lions’ Sam LaPorta came in at No. 3 on the list, behind just Brock Bowers and George Kittle.
It may be a little surprising to see LaPorta actually jump one spot higher than his rankings last year, considering his production slipped a little in 2024. In his rookie season, he caught 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last year, that dropped to 60 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns.
But as an anonymous NFC executive explained, production in Detroit’s stacked receiver room is tough to come by these days.
“[Lack of production is] not really a factor because Detroit has so many players they need to get the ball to,” they said. “He’s a stud. Will be a cornerstone player for a long time.”
Hype is already high for LaPorta entering Year 3 of his NFL career. After having to rehab an ankle injury last year, LaPorta entered this offseason as healthy as could be expected, and his teammates are already noticing the potential of a big step in 2025.
“A guy that I’m excited for is Sam LaPorta,” Amon-Ra St. Brown said during OTAs. “Not taking anything away from what he did last year. He’s a baller, but I can tell this year he’s making plays out there every day. He’s gonna have a big year.”
This year, LaPorta jumped both Travis Kelce (fifth this year) and Mark Andrews (sixth) on ESPN’s list, as the NFL appears to be going through a youth movement at tight end. Case in point, Bowers earned the top spot for 2025.
And while LaPorta’s production may have taken a dip, he’s undoubtedly become a more balanced player—and teams have noticed. From the ESPN article:
“He doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses — good at just about everything,” an AFC scout said. “If you want a complete tight end, he fits the bill.”
So, if you’re keeping score so far in ESPN’s lists:
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs — 3rd
TE: Sam LaPorta — 3rd
EDGE: Aidan Hutchison — 7th
DT: None (Alim McNeill received votes)
S: Brian Branch — 2nd; Kerby Joseph — 5th
They have yet to reveal top-10 players at interior offensive line, offensive tackle, quarterback, linebacker, wide receiver, and cornerback.
