2026 · WEEK 5 CLOSE
$4,768+5.1%1W+191%SINCE '26 DRAFTHIGH $4,768
AGE25Jan 12, 2001
EXP3 yrssince 2023
HEIGHT6'3"
inherits 3% of DET targets (20% vacated, his claim 13%)
LaPorta brought in all five of his targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 45-21 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
The athletic tight end was a constant presence in the air attack during the high-scoring victory, and he finished with a season-high yardage total that also set the pace for the Lions on the afternoon. LaPorta also contributed his third touchdown of the campaign -- and his second in as many games -- with a 38-yard grab in the second quarter. LaPorta has his two highest yardage tallies of the season in the last two games, which affords him plenty of momentum heading into the Week 6 bye that precedes a Week 7 divisional showdown at home against the Packers on Sunday, Oct. 25.
LaPorta brought in eight of 13 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 32-26 loss to the Panthers on Sunday night.
LaPorta turned in season-high numbers across all three components of his receiving line, and he added his second touchdown of the campaign on an eight-yard grab with 3:38 remaining to bring the Lions within six points. LaPorta has had a steady role through the first four games of the season, netting a 22-228-2 line on 32 targets. It's worth noting many of LaPorta's receptions have had an impact, as he's produced 12 first downs and already has three catches of 20-plus yards heading into a Week 5 road matchup against the Cardinals next Sunday.
Everyone sharing the ball with Sam, most valuable first.
Above the line the plan was to throw; below it, to run.
LaPorta and the Lions have broken off contract talks after several weeks of discussions, and the tight end now is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
LaPorta's 2025 campaign came to an abbreviated end after Week 10 due to a back injury, for which he underwent surgery in mid-November. He then operated with limitations in the final phases of the offseason program before receiving full clearance at the start of training camp. Through three games in 2026, LaPorta has put together a 14-144-1 line on 19 targets, ranking third on the team in all four categories behind WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
LaPorta brought in six of seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 41-31 loss to the Bills on Thursday.
The fourth-year tight end was one of Jared Goff's primary targets Thursday, finishing tied for second in receptions while checking in third in both receiving yards and targets. LaPorta also recorded his first touchdown catch of the season on a one-yard grab early in the fourth quarter, and over the first two games of the new campaign, he's encouragingly been targeted 15 times and parlayed those opportunities into 11 receptions for 100 yards and the TD. LaPorta should remain a key complementary option during a Week 3 home matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Sept. 27.
LaPorta (hip) didn't play in any of the Lions' preseason contests.
LaPorta was rested in the team's exhibition opener, but a hip injury suffered in practice kept him on the sideline for the final two preseason games. He was able to return to drills as of Aug. 25, but it's unclear if he's put the issue behind him. LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so he has every incentive to be as healthy as possible for a Week 1 matchup with the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13.
The TEs priced immediately above and below him.
