RADIO
Lions Prefer to Keep Sam LaPorta at the Trade Deadline
The Detroit Lions have received calls on tight end Sam LaPorta, but teams have gotten the impression that the Lions would like to keep him and try to work out a long-term deal eventually, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Before suffering a back injury in 2025 that limited him to nine games, LaPorta burst onto the scene in his first two NFL seasons with 146 receptions on 203 targets for 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns as one of the best up-and-coming young pass-catching tight ends. So far through eight games in 2026 in his fourth year in the league, he has produced a 35-399-3 line on 49 targets, which makes him the TE7 in half-PPR scoring as the Lions get ready for a Week 10 game in Germany against the New England Patriots. LaPorta has cooled off considerably over his last three games after having back-to-back 80-plus-yard receiving days with two touchdowns in Weeks 4 and 5. Despite his recent lull in production, LaPorta is in one of the more high-octane passing attacks in the league if he stays with the Lions past the trade deadline, and he should continue to be a TE1 option for fantasy managers in the second half of the season.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Sam LaPorta's Midseason Struggles Continue in Miami
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught four of his five targets for 32 yards during Sunday's Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins. It was another modest showing from LaPorta, who has now posted single-digit PPR points in all three games since the Lions' bye week. This can certainly be chalked up as a dud performance, but in his defense, he and Amon-Ra St. Brown were the only Lions players with more than two receptions, as Detroit's offense ran the ball quite often on Sunday. The Lions will return home to host the Patriots in Week 10, and a potentially more pass-heavy game script should give LaPorta an opportunity to bounce back as a TE1, at least. He is searching for his first 35-plus-yard game since Week 5, which is also the last time he scored a touchdown.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Could Have a Prime Bounce-Back Opportunity in Week 9
Seven games into his 2026 season, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 31 catches for 367 yards and three touchdowns on 44 targets. The 25-year-old's production has dipped lately, as he's hauled in just four catches for 51 yards on seven targets over Detroit's last two games. LaPorta could have a golden opportunity to re-establish himself in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, as star Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (ribs) is questionable to play with a rib injury. Should St. Brown be inactive, LaPorta could be Detroit's lead option in the passing game against a Dolphins defense that currently ranks last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.3) and 29th in passing touchdowns allowed (16). Even if St. Brown is healthy enough to play, LaPorta should have a solid chance at a bounce-back week. He profiles as a must-start tight end for fantasy managers in Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Coming Off a Disappointing Performance
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught just one pass in his return from the bye week last Sunday. While LaPorta's one catch on two targets proved to be a frustrating stat line, fantasy managers should be encouraged by the fact that he played a whopping 97% of the offensive snaps. Playing time has never been an issue for the talented tight end, so we expect him to get back on track with more volume in the upcoming weeks. After all, despite the Week 6 bye and the Week 7 dud, LaPorta still ranks as the overall TE6 in PPR scoring this season. This Detroit offense has repeatedly shown that it can simultaneously support big performances from LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs in fantasy football. We'll look for LaPorta to get back on track in Week 8, despite a tougher matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta a Bounce-Back Candidate in Week 8 Despite Tough Matchup
Across six games in 2026, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 28 catches for 334 yards and three touchdowns on 39 targets. The 25-year-old is coming off a rough game in Week 7, in which he logged just one catch for 18 yards on two targets against the Green Bay Packers. LaPorta now faces a tough task in his attempt to bounce back in Week 8, as he will face a Minnesota Vikings defense that currently ranks first in the NFL in both total passing yards allowed (1,085) and passing touchdowns allowed (three). Minnesota has been especially tough on tight ends, allowing just 18 receptions and 233 receiving yards to the position through six games. However, LaPorta has had some success against the Vikings defense in the past, recording six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown on eight targets in his lone outing against them last season. Even coming off a quiet Week 7, LaPorta remains a must-start tight end for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta is a Non-Factor During Week 7 Win
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was non-existent during Sunday's Week 7 matchup versus the Green Bay Packers. LaPorta has been one of the best fantasy tight ends this season, but he gave fantasy managers a dud on Sunday. LaPorta hauled in one of his two targets for 18 yards during the victory. The targets, receptions, and yardage were all season lows for LaPorta. Surprisingly, LaPorta was unable to do much in a game where quarterback Jared Goff threw for over 300 yards. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried and chalk this game up as a fluke. LaPorta will almost certainly post better results against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lions, Sam LaPorta Likely to Reach an Agreement Before Free Agency
The situation between the Detroit Lions and tight end Sam LaPorta is not great right now, but it is "more likely than not" that the two sides will eventually reach an agreement on a contract extension before free agency next March, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic. "(Lions GM) Brad Holmes does not like losing his draft picks, especially his high ones," a league source said. The Lions have recently taken their time to get contract extensions to come together for their big players, most recently with running back Jahmyr Gibbs and offensive tackle Penei Sewell. The franchise tag for LaPorta in 2027 would be around $17.5 million fully guaranteed with no salary cap flexibility. LaPorta said earlier this week that he was frustrated by the Lions' apparent lack of interest in getting something done. Contract issues aside, the 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 from Iowa has had a strong rebound season in 2026 so far, catching 27 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns on 37 targets in his first five games. He should be considered a top-five fantasy TE coming off the team's bye against the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Source: The Athletic - Jonathan Jones
Source: The Athletic - Jonathan Jones
Sam LaPorta Remains a Must-Start Tight End in Week 7
Across five games in 2026, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns. The 25-year-old was playing some of his best football before Detroit's Week 6 bye, recording back-to-back games with at least 80 receiving yards and a touchdown. Coming out of the bye in Week 7, the Lions will take on the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has defended well against the pass in 2026, ranking third in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and eighth in passing touchdowns allowed (seven). However, Detroit could be forced to turn to the air early and often if their defense continues to struggle as it has for most of the season so far. As long as Lions quarterback Jared Goff attempts 30-plus passes, LaPorta should have plenty of opportunities to produce. All in all, LaPorta remains a must-start tight end for fantasy managers in Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Frustrated with Lions Over Contract
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta expressed frustration with his team over his current contract status in a recent Pardon My Take podcast appearance, calling it "disappointing" that he hasn't received an extension off his rookie deal. LaPorta is currently playing out the final season of his first NFL contract with Detroit and is poised to hit free agency at the end of the year. The 25-year-old has played well for the Lions so far in 2026, hauling in 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns on 37 targets across five games. Since being selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, LaPorta has compiled over 2,400 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns across 47 games. It does not appear that LaPorta is considering any sort of holdout that would impact his game availability, but the star tight end is clearly unhappy with how negotiations with the Lions have progressed to this point.
Source: Pardon My Take
Source: Pardon My Take
Sam LaPorta Leads the Lions' Receiving Corps in Week 5
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught all five of his targets for 88 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The headline of his big outing was a 38-yard touchdown reception that gave Detroit a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. The 25-year-old is off to a fantastic start this season, catching a touchdown pass in three of his five games so far. He also has five-plus catches in four of his five games. LaPorta has shown that he can operate as a mid-range TE1 in fantasy football despite sharing volume with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams. There is plenty of production to go around in this offense, especially in a game like Sunday's, where the Lions racked up 45 points and 412 yards of total offense. LaPorta should continue to be started in all fantasy leagues on the other side of Detroit's Week 6 bye.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Looking to Build on Recent Success in Favorable Matchup
Four weeks into the 2026 season, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 22 catches for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets. The 25-year-old had his best game of the young season in Week 4, hauling in eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets against the Carolina Panthers. In Week 5, LaPorta and the Lions will take on an Arizona Cardinals defense that has allowed 11 receiving touchdowns through four games and ranks dead last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (9.1). Detroit has also operated in extremely pass-heavy game scripts due to its struggling defense, with quarterback Jared Goff averaging over 40 pass attempts per game. As long as both the Cardinals and Lions defenses continue their recent performances, LaPorta could be poised for a big game on Sunday. He profiles as a high-end TE1 option in Week 5 against Arizona.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Has a Chance to Bounce Back in Week 4
Across three games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 14 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. The 25-year-old is coming off his least productive game of the young season, as he recorded just three catches for 44 yards on four targets against the New York Jets. However, LaPorta will have a chance to bounce back in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers had a tough time containing Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in Week 3, allowing him to record 51 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine targets. Carolina's potent passing offense should also be able to move the ball against the Lions' struggling secondary, which could lead to a high-scoring, pass-heavy game script for both teams. As long as Detroit quarterback Jared Goff continues to throw the ball at his current rate (36.3 pass attempts per game), LaPorta has a chance for big production. He profiles as a solid TE1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Has Quiet Day Against Jets
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was expected to have a big Week 3 against the New York Jets, but caught just three passes for 44 yards and no touchdowns in a 31-24 home victory. The veteran saw increased involvement to start the 2026 season, getting targeted eight times in Week 1 and seven times in Week 2. He disappointed by falling behind even running back Jahmyr Gibbs on the stats sheet, who had seven catches for 65 yards and one touchdown in the air. Meanwhile, Amon-Ra St. Brown had four receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown, and second-year receiver Isaac TeSlaa had three receptions for 66 yards. LaPorta is listed as a TE5 in RotoBaller's position rankings, but was a bust in Week 3.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sam LaPorta Well-Positioned for Continued Success in Week 3
Across two games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. The 25-year-old has established himself as the number two option in the Lions' passing game, behind only star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. In Week 3, LaPorta will square off against a New York Jets defense that currently ranks second in the NFL in both total passing yards (285) and yards per pass attempt (4.7) allowed. The Jets did a nice job against Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft in Week 2, holding him to 15 receiving yards on two catches. Still, the Lions may be forced into a pass-heavy game script by their struggling defense, which has been one of the worst in the NFL so far. As long as he continues to see adequate target volume, LaPorta profiles as a steady TE1 option for fantasy managers in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Getting More Targets Early in the Season
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 2's loss to the Bills, hauling in 6-of-7 targets for 52 yards. He was targeted eight times in Week 1 and seven times in Week 2, which is an increase from last season, when he was targeted more than six times just twice in nine games, averaging 5.4 targets per game. LaPorta's increased involvement and the Lions' tendency to get into high-scoring contests so far this season make him a solid tight end option going forward. He's ranked as the No. 3 tight end for Week 3 against the Jets in RotoBaller's rankings, and if he continues to get more looks, he could be an elite option going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
